New York & New Jersey Campaign

The New York and New Jersey campaign of 1776-1777 was a pivotal series of battles in the American Revolutionary War between British forces led by General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington. Howe began by successfully driving Washington out of New York, landing on Staten Island and later defeating him on Long Island. However, the British campaign started to lose momentum as they extended into New Jersey. Washington's army managed to make strategic retreats, first across the Hudson River and then across New Jersey, evading capture and preserving the Continental Army despite suffering from declining numbers and low morale.

George Washington's retreat across New Jersey in 1776. © Kaidor

The turning point in the campaign came during the winter months. Howe decided to establish a chain of outposts stretching from New York City to Burlington, New Jersey, and ordered his troops into winter quarters. Seizing this opportunity, Washington led a daring and morale-boosting attack against the British garrison at Trenton on December 26, 1776. This victory led Howe to pull back his outposts closer to New York, while Washington established his winter camp at Morristown, New Jersey. Both sides continued to skirmish in the New York and New Jersey area, but the focus of the war started to shift to other theaters.

Despite the mixed results, the British managed to hold New York Harbor for the remainder of the war, using it as a base for other military expeditions. In 1777, Howe initiated a campaign aimed at capturing Philadelphia, the revolutionary capital, leaving the New York area under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton. Concurrently, another British force led by General John Burgoyne tried and failed to control the Hudson River Valley, culminating in a critical defeat at Saratoga. Overall, while the New York and New Jersey campaign initially appeared advantageous for the British, its inconclusive end marked a vital stabilization point for the American forces and set the stage for subsequent conflicts and alliances.