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image - Log Cabin/Log City

he Continental Army of over 10,000 soldiers reached Jockey Hollow, their "wintering ground" in the bitter weather of December 1779. The area was a windswept forest in the hills a few miles southwest of Morristown, NJ.
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Knife, fascine - click to enlarge Document box - click to enlarge Cartridge Box - click to enlarge
nticipating a long encampment at this advantageous position, Washington decreed that his army was to build a "Log-house city" here. Eight infantry brigades occupied the site for seven months. More than 600 acres of oak, walnut and chestnut were converted into lines of soldier huts that rose on the hillsides. Impeded by the weather, the work of felling the great forest and erecting hundreds of cabins went slowly. Almost all of December, the men slept under tents or with no covering at all. A number were not under roofs until February the following year. There were about 1,000 to 1,200 log structures in Jockey Hollow.
Canteen - click to enlarge Stipple Engraving of Major General Arthur St. Clair - click to enlarge Military Cocked Hat - click to enlarge
Combination knife and fork - click to enlarge Cape - click to enlarge Chippendale slant-top writing desk - click to enlarge
Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier - click to enlarge
ockey Hollow, where the log city stood, through most of its history was farmland. Mary Cooper Wick and her daughter Temperance were the only family members living on the 1,400-acre farm during the winter of 1779-1780. Henry Wick served as a volunteer with the Morris County cavalry. Mr. Wick had officers staying in his house that winter. Major General Arthur St. Clair, along with two aides, rented two rooms in the house for their office, dining room and bedrooms. General St. Clair was in charge of over two thousand Pennsylvania soldiers.
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Last Modified: Tuesday, July 16, 2002

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