History comes alive this Saturday at the Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton, where a discussion at 2:00 PM will focus on the “Second Skirmish at Crosswicks Creek,” a pivotal but often overlooked event of the American Revolution. This tactical engagement, sometimes referred to simply as the Second Skirmish at Crosswicks or Allentown, occurred on June 25, 1778, as British and Hessian forces under Generals Henry Clinton and Lord Cornwallis retreated from Philadelphia toward New York, just days before the major Battle of Monmouth.
The skirmish saw New Jersey militia and Continental Army troops employing clever delaying tactics to slow the movement of a massive British column, estimated at roughly 17,000 soldiers. Bridges were destroyed, wells filled with debris, and trees felled across key roads, forcing the British rear guard—including German Jaegers armed with three-pounder cannons—to expend time and resources overcoming these obstacles. Though small in scale, the engagement had strategic importance: it allowed General George Washington’s main army to catch up and prepare for the larger confrontation at Monmouth Court House on June 28.
Several local stories from the skirmish have endured for generations. One dramatic relic remains embedded in the north wall of the Crosswicks Friends Meeting House—a cannonball fired by American forces during the fighting on June 23 and 25. Visitors to the meeting house in Chesterfield Township can still see this historic artifact, a tangible link to the area’s revolutionary past. The conflict also claimed local lives, including Job Clevenger, who was fatally shot while attempting to dismantle a bridge to impede the British advance.
The Second Skirmish at Crosswicks Creek offers a vivid snapshot of New Jersey’s role in the fight for independence. It highlights the ingenuity and courage of local militias, the challenges of 18th-century warfare, and the lasting impact of even small engagements on the broader course of the Revolutionary War. For those interested in connecting history with community and culture, exploring the surrounding area provides an opportunity to discover more about art and culture in New Jersey, which often intersects with local historic sites and public programs.
Events like this discussion help residents and visitors alike gain a deeper appreciation for New Jersey’s rich historical tapestry, where the stories of ordinary citizens, soldiers, and landmarks continue to resonate centuries later. From embedded cannonballs to well-documented militia actions, the Second Skirmish at Crosswicks Creek remains a remarkable chapter in the state’s revolutionary legacy, inviting everyone to step back in time and explore the living history of the Garden State.
