LAMBERTVILLE

In Lambertville New Jersey stands the Richard Holcomb house. It is a private residence, not open to the public. The house and land around it still allow you to see the rush of soldiers around it. In your mind's eye, Washington, his generals, and adjutants met here to plan the movement of the Army. Both in 1777 and again in 1778, Washington used this house as his headquarters.


On 7/29-30 1777, General Washington watched the movements of General Howe in New York City. Everyone expected Howe to march North along the Hudson River to meet British General Burgoyne who was marching South. That was, except Washington, who was unsure of Howe's intention. Howe was using the British Navy to move his troops. Washington felt that Howe's real intention was Philadelphia. Washington had his army cross the Delaware at Coryell's ferry and position itself to mirror Howe's movement. When the British Fleet was spotted off Delaware, Washington moved his army South. The Battles of Brandywine and Germantown were ahead for the Continentals. Burgoyne would march to his Saratoga.




On June 21-22 1778, Washington returned to Holcomb's House. He had left Valley Forge and was again watching the British Army march. This time, the British Troops had left Philadelphia and were crossing New Jersey on foot to return to New York City. Washington had moved his entire army across the Delaware. He was looking for a fight. His army was freshly trained by General Baron von Stueben and Washington knew they could hold their own with the British Army. He was looking for a location, maybe Hopewell or Allentown, or maybe...Monmoth.