Middlebrook encampment
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Middlebrook Encampment Site
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A Thirteen Star Flag at the Middlebrook encampment is displayed continuously.
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| Location | Middlebrook Road, Bridgewater Township, New Jersey |
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| Coordinates | 40°34′45″N 74°32′16″W / 40.57917°N 74.53778°WCoordinates: 40°34′45″N 74°32′16″W / 40.57917°N 74.53778°W |
| NRHP Reference # | 75001160 |
| NJRHP # | 2485 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 3, 1975 |
| Designated NJRHP | May 8, 1975 |
The Middlebrook encampment was a seasonal encampment of the Continental Army during the American War for Independence near Middle Brook in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey (between Martinsville and Bound Brook) in 1777 and again in 1778–79. The site includes part of the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain. Its position provided a natural fortress not only protecting the Continental Army but also overlooking the plains towards New Brunswick, where the British forces were stationed in 1777. The strategic strength of the position contributed ultimately to the success of the Continental Army by lengthening the war and wearying the British forces.
A portion of the encampment site, known as the Washington Camp Ground, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 1975.
During the winter of 1776–77, Washington rested the Continental Army initially at the encampment near Morristown, New Jersey. After his outpost garrison at Bound Brook was surprised and routed during the Battle of Bound Brook in April 1777, Washington moved the encampment closer to Bound Brook to the Middlebrook encampment on May 28 and stayed there until July 2. A total of 8,298 soldiers were housed in the encampment, but 2,660 of them were sick or disabled, unable to fight. In contrast, the British maintained a force of about 17,000 near New Brunswick, New Jersey. From the heights of the Watchung mountains, Washington could monitor and counteract British movements. When General Howe decided to move against Philadelphia, concern over the threat by the Continental Army made him choose the safer sea route instead of the faster land route. This led to a significant delay in operations for the British and disrupted plans to help General Burgoyne in northern New York. On June 30, Howe moved his troops to Staten Island in preparation for his Philadelphia campaign, and two days later Washington left Middlebrook and moved the army to Pompton Plains.
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