The Re-Enactors
Approximately 4,500 American troops and 1200 British troops fought the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, in a battlespace that stretched from Stoney Creek to the Millstone River.
Most of the soldiers came from New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, with smaller contingents from other states. New Jersey was primarily represented by militia and by artillery units. The Americans were led, of course, by George Washington, and one of his generals was Hugh Mercer of Virginia. Mercer would die in the battle, one of roughly 30 Americans to die, but it is from him that Mercer County, Mercerville, the Mercer Oak, and countless other things Mercer in New Jersey get their names.
They were opposed by approximately 850 British troops, under the command of Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood, drawn primarily from the 17th, 40th, and 55th regiments of foot, and the 16th of dragoons, mounted and on foot., and a small number of Hessians from the Waldeck Regiment.
The main action took place on what we now preserve and hallow on the grounds of Princeton Battlefield State Park, but fighting took place in Frog Hollow and on Nassau Street, including the cannonading Nassau Hall, then the main building of the College of New Jersey now known as Princeton University.
Among the units fighting that day were Haslet’s Delaware regiment, the 1st Maryland, the 1st Rhode Island, 1st Conti- nental, and Pennsylvania Rifle regiments, as well as Lamb’s Artillery. Re-enactors from these units will be participate on the Continental side in the Experience the Battle of Princeton re-enactment on January 7, 2025.
Units representing the British 42nd Regiment of Foot and the Guards Brigade, which played a key role in the battle 248 years ago, will be represented this year.
1777 American Regiments
Bailey’s (Second Massachusetts) Regiment – One of the first Patriot regiments raised after Lexington and Concord, Bailey’s Regiment fought at Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga and Monmouth Courthouse. At Princeton.
Haslet’s Delawares – In response to the Continental Congress’ request for troops, the Lower Counties Assembly created the 1st Delaware Regiment, placing Col. John Haslet, a Presbyterian minister and veteran of the French and Indian War. After raising troops throughout the early months of 1776, they fought with distinction at the Battles of Long Island, Mamaroneck, White Plains and Trenton. By the Battle of Princeton, expired enlistments and battle casualties, Haslet led a handful of troops into battle on January 3, 1777. He was shot and killed early in the battle that day.
First Maryland Regiment – Also known as Smallwood’s Marylanders, the regiment joined with Haslet’s to put up a ferocious defense to cover the retreating American army at the Battle of Long Island and was decimated by losses suffered there. Watching form nearby at the staunch defense, Gen. George Washington lamented, “Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose.”
Smallwood’s Marylanders would also fight at the Battles of Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Trenton, before joining in the fight at the Battle of Princeton, where they would fight in Mercer’s Brigade, the first American soldiers to engage the British in the fields between the Clarke houses. The First Maryland fought in a combined unit with Virginians.
Continental Marines (Trevet’s Company) – The Continental Marines were formed in November 1775 and raided Nassau in the Bahamas, where they captured the fort. They fought at Princeton and Trenton, and took part in the Penobscot Expedition. At Princeton, the Marines fought with Cadwalader’s Brigade to first repulse the British attack and then drive them from the field. Marine Ensign Anthony Morris, Lt. Morgan, and a Pennsylvania Marine, Capt. William Shippin were among the casualties on January 3, 1777.
First Rhode Island Regiment – The First Rhode Island, also known as Varnum’s Regiment, was one of the rare inte- grated units in the Continental Army, and Black soldiers in the unit fought at Trenton and Princeton. The regiment also fought at the Siege of Boston, the New York campaign in 1776 and the Battles of Red Bank and Rhode Island. Fighting on January 3, 177 as part of Col. Daniel Hitchcock’s Brigade, Varnum’s regiment saw hot action in the Battle.
First Continental Regiment – Before entering Continental service, this regiment was known as the First Pennsylvania and took part in the 1775 Siege of Boston and then fought at Trenton and Princeton. Later in 1777, if fought in the three Philadelphia battles, before also participating in the American victory at Monmouth in 1778. Later in the war, to captured Stoney Point from the British and fought at Springfield.
Pennsylvania State Regiment – Originally raised in March 1776, this unit, also known as 13th Pennsylvania Regiment and the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, fought at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Mon- mouth. At Princeton, the regiment served under Generals Nathanial Greene and Hugh Mercer and 200 of these men made up the bulk of the 350-man Mercer’s Brigade and were among the first Americans to engage with the British at Princeton.
Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment – The 11th, a Continental Army unit, fought at Princeton in General John Sullivan’s Division and took part in the attack on Frog Hollow, near the old Princeton Inn and on the current grounds of
Spring dale Golf Course. The 11th helped rout the British, who fled back into town to take refuse behind Nassau Hall. Sullivan accepted the British surrender there when the British realized how many Americans were attacking them.
Lamb’s Artillery – Also known as the Second Continental Artillery, this unit was formed by with a core of New York City soldiers in 1775 after Lexington and Concord. It officially entered Continental Service with troops from New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania two days before the Battle of Princeton. It fought at Quebec, Trenton, Princeton, Ridgefield, Philadelphia, Monmouth, with Sullivan’s Expedition Springfield, and Yorktown.
At Princeton, 21 year-old Captain Alexander Hamilton fired his cannon at Nassau Hall, compelling the British, who had retreated to the building, to surrender.
1st New Hampshire Regiment – This unit, formed by the legendary Col. John Stark, was part of Sullivan’s Brigade at the Battle of Princeton. Earlier in the war, it fought at Bunker Hill and in the Canadian Campaign. Later in the war it fought in 0the Battles of Saratoga and Monmouth and at the Siege of Yorktown.
Clotz’s Battalion – This Pennsylvania unit was part of Washington’s “Flying Camp, ” a mobile, strategic reserve of troops. Congress agreed and on June 3, 1776, passed a resolution “that a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies and that it consist of 10,000 men ….” The men recruited for the Flying Camp were to be militiamen from three colonies: 6000 from Pennsylvania, 3400 from Maryland, and 600 from Delaware. They were to serve until December 1, 1776, unless discharged sooner by Congress, and to be paid and fed in the same manner as regular soldiers of the Continental Army. Clotz’s troops were Pennsylvanians and fought under General James Ewing at Princeton.
The German Regiment – Also known as or 8th Maryland) was an infantry formation of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Authorized in May 1776 as an extra Continental regiment, the battalion recruited ethnic Germans from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Commanded by d Nicholas Haussegger to command the battalion, it fought at Trenton in December 1776, where its men called out in German for the Hessians to lay down their arms. A week later, the German Battalion was in action at Assunpink Creek where a number of its troops were captured, including Haussegger. The next day, the unit fought at Princeton under Genera; Sullivan’s command.
West Jersey Artillery – This unit was formed early in the war from Burlington County, New Jersey. It was engaged at both the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, with First Lieutenant John Westcott crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night in the same boat as General Washington. In early 1777, both the West & East Jersey Artillery company’s were taken into Continental Army service, and for a short period were the only artillery units with the Continental Army.
1777 British and Hessian Regiments
Brigade of Guards, Grenadier Companies – The Brigade of Guards were considered the elite of Cornwallis’s army. The British Army had three regiments of Foot Guards who traced their lineages to the 1660s. The brigade saw their first combat in Revolution at Long Island. They fought in the 1776 New York campaigns and in the 1777 Philadelphia cam- paign. Afterwards, they fought at Monmouth and served in the New York garrison until 1780. They joined Cornwallis’s southern army in January 1781.
4th Battalion, Royal Artillery – The Battle of Princeton was primarily an infantry affair for the British, but in the fighting between the Clarke houses, the British used two six pound brass cannon on January 3rd, set up near a fence that cut across what is now Princeton Pike. The American troops that day described the shooting of the two cannon that day as “dreadful.”
Additional Participating American Regiments
1st New York (McCracken’s Company – Formed in 1775 from the area between Lake George and Albany, New York, and led by Joseph McCracken, the unit took part in the Canadian campaign, the Battle of Valcour Island, the Battleof Saratoga, and fought in the Philadelphia campaign and the Battle of Monmouth. They also took part in the Sullivan Expedition and closed out the war at Yorktown.
Second New Jersey Regiment – Made up of soldiers from Hunterdon, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, and Sussex Counties, it was organized in Trenton in 1775, giving it a particularly local flavor (there was no Mercer County yet). The Second New Jersey was with Benedict Arnold at Valcour Island, fought in the Philadelphia campaign, also took part in the American victory at Monmouth, marched with Sullivan, and fought at the Battles of Springfield and Yorktown.
Third New Jersey Regiment – The “New Jersey Grays” were raised on January 1, 1776, in Elizabeth, New Jersey and entered serves as a Continental Regiment. The 3rd fought at the Battle of Valcour Island, New York Campaign, and at the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Sullivan’s Expedition and the Battle of Springfield.
Fourth Connecticut Regiment – This regiment was raised on April 27, 1775, at Hartford, Connecticut. The regiment saw action in the Invasion of Canada following its adoption into the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, during which it was led by Colonel Benjamin Hinman. After which the regiment was disbanded on December 20, 1775, and reformed on September 16, 1776, to fight in the Philadelphia campaign in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. These battles saw the leadership of Colonel John Durkee.
Fourth Regiment Light Dragoons – Perhaps better known as Moylan’s Dragoons, the Fourth was one of four Continental Dragoon regiments authorized by Congress. The regiment was known for taking the field in captured British scarlet coats, but to avoid confusion with the British, the regiment changed to green coats faced in red during the summer of 1778. Moylan’s Dragoons fought at the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Guilford Court House and the Siege of Yorktown.
5th Pennsylvania Regiment – Originally formed as the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised December 9, 1775, at Chester, Pennsylvania, for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, Monmouth, Springfield, Green Spring, and Yorktown. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1783.
Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment – Like the 5th, the 6th Pennsylvania was a Continental Army regiment, raised December 9, 1775, at Philadelphia, and led by Col. Robert Magaw. The regiment fought during the New York Campaign, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Green Spring. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1783.
Seventh Virginia Regiment – This regiment formed early in 1776, fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. After the war cooled in the northern colonies, they were at the Siege of Charleston and a detachment fought at the Battle of Waxhaws.
Ninth Pennsylvania Light Infantry – This unit fought at Brandywine, Paoli and Germantown in the fight for Philadelphia during the summer of 1777, then took part in the victory over the British at the Battle of Monmouth. Led by Col. Richard Butler, it last fought in the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey, in 1780.
Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment – Sometimes referred to as the 5th New Jersey Regiment, this regiment fought at the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Short Hills, and took part in the 1778 Sullivan expedition. The Continental Congress authorized sixteen “Additional” Continental Regiments” in late 1776 and Colonel Oliver Spencer accepted command of this regiment, with men recruited from Essex, Morris and Sussex Counties, as well as Orange County in New York. It also suffered through the brutal winter at Valley Forge.
2nd Virginia Regiment – The regiment fought in 1775-1776 Southern Campaign and then fought in the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777-1778. It, too, suffered through the Valley Forge Winter and then fought in the Battle of Monmouth. After Monmouth, it was recalled to Virginia and most soldiers mustered out in the Spring of 1780. Those who remained took part in the siege of Yorktown.
Hazen’s Canadian Regiment – Also known as the 2nd Canadian Regiment and Congress’ Own, this unit formed in 1775 in Quebec and fought alongside the Americans who sought to conquer Canada. Later, the unit was formerly designated the Canadian Regiment and Col. Moses Hazen assumed command. The unit fought in the Canadian campaign, served in New Jersey after the Battle of Princeton, and took part in the Battle of Staten Island. It also fought in the Philadelphia Campaign and Yorktown, before mustering out in 1783.
Schott’s Independent Company – Led by German-born Capt. John Paul Schott, was formed in 1776 and at one time attached to the artillery. Later in life, Schott would write he didn’t like the artillery “so well.” Schott’s Company was inde- pendent, not colony-raised, and later attached to Ottendorf’s Corps. Among the places they fought was in the Battle of Short Hills in June of 1777, where Schott was taken prisoner.
Outwater’s Militia – This New Jersey unit, led by Captain John Outwater, was raised in Bergen County, after the New Jersey Assembly passed a law providing for the raising of 25 militia companies. It formed in early 1777, assembled in Hackensack, and was composed of Jersey Dutch farmers and tradesmen who attempted to protect their property from British foraging parties. The British raided Bergen County frequently and Outwater’s Militia repelled the raiders whether they came by land or water. In December 1780, the State legislature commissioned the company Outwater’s Company, New Jersey State Troops. They served as State Troops through 1781.
24th Connecticut Militia – Led by Cols. Butler, Denison, and Judd, the regiment was formed in 1775 by the Connecticut Legislature a month after Lexington and Concord. the regiment fought at Millstone, Bound Brook, Germantown, Brandywine, Fort Mifflin and White Marsh. After the harsh winter at Valley Forge, the companies fought at Monmouth. The regiment served in General Sullivan’s march into the Finger Lakes region of New York during the summer of 1779.
Washington Crossing Fire and Drums – This unit didn’t fight in the Revolution and wasn’t formed until the 20th Century, but it has a direct link to the Trenton-Princeton campaign. Drummer Micah Goldsberry’s sixth great-grandfather was a Hessian drummer who served in the Waldeck regiment and was captured three days after the Battle of Princeton, near Elizabeth, New Jersey, and the joined a Virginia regiment of the Continental Army. From the First Crossing to our annual Memorial Day Ceremony, the volunteers of the Fife & Drum Corps bring both music and history to events at Washington Crossing Historic Park
2nd Virginia Regiment – This unit saw action in the southern colonies early in the war, before taking part in the 1777-78 Philadelphia Campaign. Parts of it would storm Stony Point in 1779. While other parts of the unit would fight in the Southern theater in 1780.
5th New York Regiment – The regiment was authorized on November 30, 1776, as part of the New York Line for service with the Continental Army, under Colonel Lewis DuBois. It was organized January 26, 1777, from companies in central New York and assigned to the Highlands Department. The unit was badly mauled at the Battle of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton Oct. 6th 1777 with near two-thirds their number killed or captured after a grueling day-long battle.
The regiment would see further action in the Hudson Highlands and the Sullivan Expedition.
Sixth Connecticut Regiment -- The 6th Connecticut Regiment, a provincial regiment, was raised on May 1, 1775, under the command of Col. Samuel Holden Parsons. In June, under the "1st establishment" of the Continental Army, it joined Gen. George Washington at the Siege of Boston. In August, to promote cohesion among the various colonial units, regiments were given precedence by Washington and the 6th Connecticut was also designated the "13th Regiment of Foot."
14th Massachusetts – Perhaps better known as the Marblehead Regiment, this unit, commanded by John Glover was made famous by the Emmanuel Leutze painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. This sailors turned soldiers also rescued the American Army at the Battle of Long Island, rowing Washington’s men to safety across the East River. After the Battles of Trenton, most if the men mustered out and returned home to Massachusetts.
Heard’s Brigade New Jersey Militia -- The Continental Congress called upon New Jersey in 1775 to form a militia to support Continental forces in New York. Early in 1776, the New Jersey Militia under Colonel Nathaniel Heard was ordered to take about 500 men to Long Island to disarm dissenting Loyalists. While encamped in New York City, Heard was promoted to brigadier general. His brigade, composed of sixteen companies of 160 officers and 1762 enlisted men, took part in Washington’s evacuation of New York City on September 12, 1776. They were camped in the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx.
The United Train of Artillery -- The unit was raised during the American Revolutionary War from the Fusiliers of Providence and the Artillery Company of Providence, making it one of the largest artillery units in Rhode Island. They fought at the Battle of Rhode Island and many other battles in the American Revolutionary War. The unit used a distinctive flag[2] which featured a coiled timber rattlesnake with the motto "Do Not Tread On Me", above an anchor and the motto "In God We Hope", and a pair of cannons
Mott’s Artillery – Led by Gershom Mott, who was born in Middletown, New Jersey in 1743 but moved to New York City to become a tradesman, he became friends with John Lamb. In February, 1777, John Lamb, now a Colonel, appointed Mott to be in charge of the 6th Company of the new 2nd Continental Regiment of Artillery. Mott’s Artillery was involved throughout the war, first in Quebec, and later at West Point, Kingston NY, Connecticut, New Jersey and then as far South as Virginia.
Additional Participating British and Hessian Regiments
Von Prueschenk’s Feld-Jagr – Hessian jaegers or hunters, this unit was sent to North America to fight for Great Britain. Drawn from the upper-middle-class gamekeepers of Hesse-Kassel, Major Ernst von Prueschenk’s company fought at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776 before fighting in most of the battles of the Northern theatre, the last of them being the June 1778 Battle of Monmouth. The company was stationed at Bordentown on the eve of the Battle of Trenton in December 1776 and warned Col. Rall of the impending American attack. A hailstorm prevented the unit from fighting in the battle of Trenton and layer fought at the Battle of Monmouth and surrendered during the Siege of Yorktown.
First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers – These Loyalist troops, also known as “Skinner’s Greens,” saw service at the Battles of Long Island, Savannah, Eutaw Springs, and Kings Mountain. They raided New London, fought at Groton Heights, and surrendered at Yorktown. After the war, the unit disbanded and many members moved to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, in Canada.
15th Regiment of Foot – The regiment was sent to North America again in spring 1776 for service in the Revolution. It fought in the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, the Battle of White Plains in October 1776 and the Battle of Fort Washington in November 1776.[21] It also took part in the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777,[22] the Battle of Germantown in October 1777[23] and the Battle of White Marsh in December 1777.
22nd Regiment of Foot – The 22nd landed in Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill and was evacuated in early 1776 to Nova Scotia after Gen. William Howe determined in March that defending Boston was no longer tenable. The 22nd was part of the British invasion of New York City and took part in the campaign around New York City and the invasion of New Jersey in the fall of 1776. The regiment also fought in the Battle of Rhode Island.
The 42nd Regiment of Foot – The 42nd was a Scottish infantry regiment better known as the Black Watch. Originally titled Crawford’s Highlanders or the Highland Regiment (mustered 1739) they were one of the first three Highland Regiments to fight in North America. The unit was honored with the name Royal Highland Regiment in 1758. Its informal name Black Watch became official in 1861. The Black Watch fought in the Battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, Pis- cataway, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, as well as the Siege of Charleston.
43rd Regiment of Foot – After fighting in North America during the French and Indian War, the 43rd was sent back to the colonies in 1774 and remained there throughout the Revolution. It fought at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of Long Island, the Battle of Rhode Island, and shortly thereafter was withdrawn back to New York where it took part in the Battle of Fort Washington and Battle of Fort Lee.
54th Regiment of Foot – Formed in West Norfolk, this regiment took part in the British first attack on Charlestown, South Carolina, the Battle of Long Island and later the Battle of Rhode Island. It also participated in raids on Connecti- cut and Massachusetts ports later in the war. It was accused during the war of massacring 80 American soldiers at the Battle of Fort Griswold in 1781.
4th Battalion New Jersey Volunteers -- also known as Jersey Volunteers, "Skinners", Skinner's Corps, and Skinner's Greens (due to their green wool uniform coats), were a British provincial military unit of Loyalists, raised for service by Cortlandt Skinner, the last Royal Attorney General for New Jersey and close ally of Royalist Gov. William Franklin. The unit fought in Battle of Long Island, during the British Campaign of New York offensive and after the defeat and flight of the Patriot forces, and was assigned to the initial British garrison of the occupation army, in New York City. They also served in Florida and raided in New Jersey and Connecticut.