Location, Location, Location DBQ

"Location, Location, Location" - Jockey Hollow Encampment, 1779-1780

Introduction

This Resource provides students with primary documents pertaining to the Winter Encampment at Jockey Hollow 1779-1780. Relevant passages from key correspondences indicate the various factors leading up to the decisions that Washington and his fellow officers eventually made for choosing the suitable location for the Army.

Background

As the War waged on it became necessary for Washington to find suitable accommodations for the Army that did not require using the local inhabitant’s homes and such. After the Winter of 1776-1777, Washington would have fixed places for the Army to encamp during the winters starting with Valley Forge, 1777-1778. By the time the Army encamps near Morristown this would be their third winter constructing a “Log Hut City”. A great deal of preparation would take place prior to the Army reaching their hutting grounds. What an army needs is good roads for supplies to come through and for marching in and out of the encampment area. Roads also provide lines of communications with all parts of the country including the Continental Congress, State and local governments and other parts of the Army. Water sources such as streams are important for the Army as a source of drinking water. Trees are important for use of building huts they had to be the correct diameter for constructing such temporary dwellings. Trees were also the primary source of fuel in the 18^th century, not only for heating but also for cooking. Distance from the enemy was critical. Morristown is about 30 miles from New York City; this is about a two day march for either Army. It provides adequate protection from attack.

Students will be able to:

• Understand the relationship between geography and its impact on decisions.
• Explain the importance of location as it pertains to Winter Encampments.
• Define and explain key terms, places, and persons.

 

Directions

Read the following primary documents and answer the questions that follow.
Note: Regt. = regiment; Col. = colonel

Document #1

M. Gen. Nathanael Greene to Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth, Commissary General / November 1, 1779

“I wish you to give me the best information you can respecting the place from whence you expect the greatest supplies of provision for the support of our Army this winter. This information is essential to determine upon a proper position for winter quarters. The State of the forage and the routes on which the provision must come will determine the place. Provision and forage are the two most important matters for the General [Washington] to take into Consideration. Necessity will oblige him to accommodate his measures to these points regardless of all inferior circumstances.”

Document #2

M. Gen. Nathanael Green to Col. James Abeel, West Point NY / November 4, 1779

“The weather begins to get cold and puts us in mind of Winter quarters. Count de Estainges being detained so long to the Southward renders the expedition against New York very precarious and uncertain. It therefore becoms necessary to look out for a proper place to hut the Army in. I think from the conversation I have had with the General and other reasons I have for such a belief, the Army will hut not many miles distant from Morris Town. I would wish you therefore to examine all the Country within eight or ten miles of that place, and see if good tract of woodland is to be found with sufficient quantity of water for use of the Army. You will begin away down below Chatham to Boontown. Taking particular care to minute down on paper the particular circumstances of each place, the relative distances to Morristown. Noting water, wood, and make of ground, together with the Roads leading too and from each place; and the number of Houses there may be found in the Neighbourhood. I am to request you will set out on this business the moment this letter comes to hand; and you are not to let any person know any thing of this matter, unless it is Lord Sterling, who you may advise with and consult upon the occasion, as his knowledge and opinion will be of great weight in the matter. I wish you to inform me as soon as may what success you meet with. You will have in readiness all the Tools Mr. Weise wrote to you about, that the moment the Army comes upon the ground every thing may be in readiness. I am Sir Your Humble Ser…”

Document #3

Summary of letter from Greene at Great Notch, NJ to Colonel Clement Biddle / November 26, 1779

Nathanael Greene reports that General Washington, in his letters of 23 November, favors a divided position “in the Mountains” to the positions at Scotch Plains or Aquakinunk (present-day Passaic), unless the British “detach largely” from New York. Greene then asks Col. Biddle to continue his “researches’ for a winter campsite around Basking Ridge, Bullions Tavern, and Morristown. Greene should like the Aquakinunk position “exceedingly” except for the lengthening of the line of communication, and giving an opening to intercept supplies coming from Trenton. He plans to view the ground again with General Wayne, then return to Morristown to consult with Washington on finally determining the army’s winter quarters. Greene reminds Biddle to have a number of teams ready to move forage to whatever place may be agreed on, as the cry for forage will be great on the army’s first coming on the ground.

Document #4

Summary of letter from Greene at Morristown to Moore Furman / November 30, 1779

Nathanael Greene writes that the location of winter quarters for the army has still not been decided. “We are yet like the wandering Jews in search of a Jerusalem, not having fixt upon a position for hutting the Army. Greene has “represented the advantages” of two sites: one near Aquakinunk, which is present-day Passaic, and the other near Kemble’s, referring to the property of Peter Kemble, approximately four miles from Morristown. The decision is left up to General Washington, who is expected in Morristown that day. Because the horses are worn out, Nathanael Greene asks Moore Furman to engage one hundred ox teams to aide in constructing winter quarters. “Great exertions” must be made to obtain forage for the draft animals during the hutting.

Document #5

Major General N. Greene (at Morristown) to several officers who commanded troops that were already in the general vicinity of Morristown / December 1, 1779

“To Generals St. Clair, De Kalb, Woodford and [James Clinton and Col. Wyllis [Samuel Wyllys] The position is fixed upon for hutting the army a little back of Mr. Kembles. The Genl [Washington] has made choice of this ground in preference to any other from its interior situation. The ground is mountainous and uneven; and therefore is not so agreeable as I would wish. There is wood sufficient for the purpose of hutting and firing, if it is used properly. There is water in plenty, tho in some places it will be some distance to fetch. The ground I think will be pretty dry; I shall have the whole of it laid off this day; you will therefore order the troops to march immediately, or if you think it more convenient, to morrow morning.

It may be well to send a small detachment from each Regt to take possession of their ground. You will also order your brigade quarter masters to draw the tools for each brigade and to get a plan for hutting, which they will find made out at my Quarters. Mr. [Jacob] Weise the store keeper will attend at Mr. Abeels store in this place to deliver the tools. Your route will be through this Town.”

 

Vocabulary

Define the following terms:

1. Forage
2. Line(s) of Communication
3. Provisions

Questions

1. What were some of Washington's criteria for choosing a winter encampment for the army?
2. What advantages did the location provide for the Continental Army?
3. What would be some possible disadvantages of the location?