2nd New Jersey Regiment

250 years ago, America’s fight for Independence came to blows on the plains of Lexington and Concord. The organization of an army to stand up to the British crown became a top priority for the Continental Congress. Each state was required to contribute a specific number of battalions to the new Continental Army. The 2nd New Jersey Battalion, predecessor to 2nd New Jersey Regiment, was raised in October of 1775 and mustered at Burlington & Trenton. Later in 1776, New Jersey’s contribution increased to three battalions, hear-by giving the regiment more manpower.  That year, the regiment was assigned to the Canadian Department and saw action notable battles such Quebec and Trois Rivières. Following the retreat from Quebec, the retreat formed part of the Garrison of Fort Ticonderoga in November 1776, before returning to New Jersey with orders to reinforce Washington’s Army. On December 3, 1776, the regiment disbanded as many of the one year enlistments had expired. The regiment was re-established shortly thereafter when many of the men re-enlisting. In the spring of 1777, the regiment was ordered to join the main army commanded by George Washington. In the early summer of 1777, after a series of skirmishes with the British in Northern New Jersey, the regiment engaged with British and Hessian troops at Short Hills, New Jersey. Following this battle, the regiment rejoined Washington’s army. After spending the summer of 1777 anticipating the British army’s next move, the regiment moved into Pennsylvania and took part in the Battle of Brandywine.  The three Continental Divisions faced the full force of the British assault at Brandywine, led by General Howe. The Continental Army was forced to give way, and the regiments commander, Israel Shreeve, was wounded in the attack after taking a musket ball to the thigh. The fall of 1777 saw the regiment participating in a series of defeats in Pennsylvania, from Germantown to Philadelphia, and spending the winter in Valley Forge. In the spring of 1778, the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, in cooperation with the Jersey Militia, gathered supplies and skirmished with British forces until they reunited with Maxwell’s Brigade at Mount Holly in May. After British forces repelled Major Richard Howell in Billingsport and attacked Haddonfield, Israel Shreve’s troops retreated to Mount Holly. The regiment later participated in the Battle of Monmouth, where they covered General Charles Lee’s retreat before supporting Washington’s forces. From June to December 1778, the Jersey Brigade was stationed around Elizabethtown, New Jersey, to monitor British movements from New York. From December 1778 to May 1779, the regiment spent the winter in Newark before joining Major General John Sullivan’s campaign against the Iroquois, participating in raids through Pennsylvania and New York. In 1780, they fought in the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield and later guarded New Jersey, with the brigade experiencing a mutiny in January 1781 over poor conditions. The regiment then moved to Virginia under the Marquis de Lafayette, and in late 1781, Colonel Elias Dayton assumed command after Colonel Shreve’s resignation. The regiment landed at Williamsburg, Virginia, joining Marquis de Lafayette and beginning the siege of British forces led by Lord Cornwallis. Following a three week battle, British forces laid down their arms and surrendered to American and French forces. The remainder of the regiment’s existence was relatively uneventful. When cessation of hostilities was announced in April 1783, the members of the regiment demobilized and the regiment disbanded. As we approach the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the stories of Continental army regiments, such as the 2nd New Jersey remain, central to the creation of American identity and American values, and highlighted New Jersey’s contributions to achieving independence. 3x2" Woven Hook Backing Release: 01/24/2025