Imagine having a summer barbecue with friends only to discover that an additional 20,000 “guests” were on the way. Well, that was the situation in northern Burlington County in June of 1778. The British Army occupied Philadelphia in September 1777, thinking that would end the colonists’ rebellion.
However, with several victories in hand, the French were impressed by the resilience of American forces and joined the cause as an ally, making Philadelphia untenable. With no options available, British troops were ordered to retreat for the relative safety of New York.
And that meant 20,000 soldiers and camp followers marching through the countryside of Burlington County.
After crossing the Delaware River over several days at the beginning of June, it was time to start the march in earnest on June 18. On that day, the army set out in two columns from Haddonfield.
One column marched to Moorestown, while the second marched to Evesham. The two columns reunited on June 20 in Mount Holly, where they spent 2 days recuperating from the dreadful heat. Capt. Johann Ewald says in his diary that many men fell from the heat.
On June 22, the British Army marched in a long line through Springfield and into Mansfield and Bordentown. The tiny village of Blackhorse (Columbus) was now occupied by the British. The left flank of the army camped on the heights overlooking Mill Lane, along present day Sheffield Drive. The right flank of the army occupied the east end of town along Mount Pleasant Road. Craft’s Creek, just to the north, made this position fairly secure, at least for one night.
It was also on June 22 that the British hanged one of their own men for desertion. Private Fischer, a drummer, was captured near Evesham. His lifeless corpse swung from a tree branch high above the main marching route as a harsh reminder towards other soldiers who might be inclined to walk away.
On June 23, the army split into two columns again, with part going towards Bordentown, and the other going towards Crosswicks. Both towns had bridges spanning the Crosswicks Creek. The two bridges were necessary for wagonloads of supplies and munitions to cross the waterway.
At Crosswicks, the British met heavy resistance while the Americans worked to destroy the bridge. Following repairs, they were attacked again by American forces. In Bordentown, it was the same story. Capt. Ewald says a party of men tried to entice the army to cross the drawbridge, but then resorted to fire upon them with leveled muskets and cannon blasts when the British refused to accept the ruse.
On June 24, the long line of the British Army moved into what is today Mercer and Monmouth Counties pursued by a small contingent of American soldiers. Gen. George Washington was now doggedly on the hunt.
After vacating Valley Forge days earlier, the Americans marched on uneasy terrain parallel to the British forces, trying to cut them off from New York. Due to the patriotic efforts of those brave men in Burlington County, the British march was slowed just enough for Washington to catch up to the invaders at Monmouth Court House.
Eric Orange is a historian with Burlington County Parks.
