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.

NEWBURGH, NEW YORK

NEWBURGH New York
The Hasbrouk house on a bluff above the Hudson River was General Washington's headquarters from 3/31/1782 to 8/17/1732, his longest stay at any time during the war. He did move around and see other commanders during this time, but the main camp was Newburgh. It is eight miles above the West Point defenses.



The war was really over after the victory at Yorktown, but the army had to be maintained since Britain did not withdraw it's armies after the defeat. New York City was still occupied and there was a sentiment in Britain to not give the colonies up just yet.








The Hasbrouck house was a modest Dutch home. When you visit, you will discover the house to be small but comfortable. You will also find it hard to believe that Washington, Martha, his aides and servants all lived here and the vast number of guests that came.








The property will allow you to walk towards the bluff overlooking the Hudson River and see Beacon Mountain across the river. On top of the mountain was where the American army had bon fires to warn of the British approach.







The front of the Hasbrouck House. Here Washington directed the army in the final months of the war. He also stopped the talk of his officers marching on Congress to demand their back pay. He stopped the idea of the United States becoming a monarchy with him as King. He gave orders to protect the Congress when Pennsylvania soldiers marched on Philadelphia for their pay. Congress moved to Princeton NJ and Washington moved closer to deter more mutinies.

















"The Minuteman" by Henry Kitson was placed on the grounds in 1924.














The Tower of Victory built in 1890 to celebrate Washington's stay.


This headquarters was also where Washington developed a medal for the soldiers who demonstrated heroic action. The medal developed into the Purple Heart.