Crossroads of History

Dr. Charles Speierl hopes to spark public interest in New Jersey as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution’ through a five-part lecture series.

By: Susan Van Dongen

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TimeOFF photos/Susan Van Dongen
"A The Red Mill Museum in Clinton has a number of exhibits that pay tribute to New Jersey’s role in the Revolutionary War, including a reproduction of a table used in taverns by Continental Army recruiters (above) and a reproduction of a coat worn by soldiers of the era (left).

   If the spirits of the departed can hear the living speak of them, the ears of Revolutionary War-era ghosts have been burning quite a bit for the past few years. Throughout the Northeast — what used to be the colonies — history buffs have been marking the 225th anniversary of the conflict, which originally flared after the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
   New Jersey was strategically located between the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and the British command center in New York City. From 1775 until 1783, our state was the location of major battles and minor skirmishes that historic homes, battlefield sites and historical monuments bear testament to today. In fact, New Jersey had more engagements than any other state during the war — almost 240 in all.
   Dr. Charles Speierl, executive director of the Red Mill Museum in Clinton, hopes to spark public interest in the state as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution" through a five-part lecture series, The Revolutionary War in 1778 New Jersey.
   The series, to be held at the Clinton Community Center, kicks off Jan. 21 with a discussion of the massacre of Baylor’s Dragoons, a particularly ugly episode of New Jersey history that occurred Sept. 28, 1778, in Bergen County. Historian Wayne Daniels of the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton will present a lecture and slide program based on his excavation of skeletons and relics of the Virginia cavalrymen bayoneted by Loyalists — American colonists who were sympathetic to the king.
   "In this way, the Revolutionary War could be called the first ‘civil war’ because there were many times when colonists were fighting colonists," Dr. Speierl says. "We’re including this (event) because it falls into the 225th (anniversary) year, but it’s the exception to the rest of the series — the rest of the lectures focus on the Battle of Monmouth, fought on June 28, 1778."
   Future talks include a presentation Feb. 18 by Branchburg historians Bill Schleicher and Sue Winter on the role of the Hunterdon and Somerset militia companies.
   On March 18, historian and archaeologist Dan Sivilich will tell the history and significance of the repulse of the British Third Brigade by several New England regiments at Monmouth. Using new field techniques, macro-archeology and metal detectors, Mr. Sivilich hopes his detailed discoveries will shed new light on the battle.
   "He has some very sophisticated archeological sounding and metal detecting equipment," Dr. Speierl says. "He works closely with the park to uncover new archeological evidence — metal things like bullets or even buttons — wherever these items would indicate where the soldiers were at the time of the battle. As a result, this may partially change the historic interpretation of the battle. For example, historians many assume the unit was on one part of the battlefield, whereas the archeological evidence would say otherwise. These are the kinds of things he’s uncovering."
   The series concludes April 22 with a dramatic presentation by historian Sally Roth, highlighting the lives of women who followed the Army during the Revolution, particularly the story of Molly Pitcher, who took her husband’s place when he was wounded at Monmouth. Ms. Roth assumes the character of the patriotic woman — who has a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike named after her — and reminisces about accompanying him through summer battles and winter encampments at places like Valley Forge, Pa.
   "This (lecture) provides a glimpse into what it was like to be a camp follower, which Molly Pitcher was," Dr. Speierl says. "It focuses on Molly Pitcher, but offers a springboard into the lives of other women doing the same thing."
   Although the term "camp follower" evolved to be linked with prostitutes, most of the women were mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of soldiers who came along to nurse the wounded and help in other ways. Although life following the Army was very difficult, Dr. Speierl says sometimes it was preferable to remaining at home without a man around the house.
   "If you were back home, especially in rural areas, you had a lot of responsibilities," he says. "Unless you had special means of support, you had to run the farm. If there were Tories in the area, you’d be susceptible to raids.
   "On the other hand, by following the troops, you suffered the same privations as the men — the forced marching, the lack of food, shelter and medicine. It was a hardship on the men, let alone the women."
   The Battle of Monmouth ignited when the British, who had occupied Philadelphia but were heading back to their stronghold in New York, ran into Washington’s Army coming out of Valley Forge.
   "It was a turning point for the colonists," Dr. Speierl says. "The American had been well-trained at Valley Forge by Baron von Steuben, who standardized the soldiers’ drilling techniques. As a result, the American Army was better-trained and more able to fight in a conventional manner against the British. For the first time, they were basically fighting the way the British did. As a result, they were able to force the British off the battlefield, where they retreated to Sandy Hook and then across to New York."
   Dr. Speierl says unusually warm temperatures may have caused as many casualties as bullet wounds, however.
   "It was unusually hot, according to the records of the day," he says. "The oppressive heat took its toll on both sides, and after a day of fighting in 90-plus temperatures the soldiers were just spent."
   Dr. Speierl, who has been coordinating a similar lecture series for four years, has degrees in history from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y., Adelphia College on Long Island, N.Y., and a doctorate from Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck. He says he finds many of his speakers through his involvement in military re-enactments.
   "I’ve learned what peoples’ specialties are and when I plan the series, I’ll recall this, work out the details and put a lecture together."
   The talks have been so popular, they’ve been moved from facilities at the Red Mill Museum on Main Street to the Clinton Community Center on Halstead Street. Dr. Speierl says he’s pleased but was initially surprised to find so much interest in Revolutionary War history in Central Jersey.
   "In some ways it is surprising, especially since I’ve also offered Civil War lectures and discussions, which haven’t been as well-attended," he says. "I thought because of all the movies and popularity of the topics, the Civil War (lectures) would have drawn more support here, but it’s just the opposite. People in this area are hungrier for information about the Revolutionary War.
   "I think people are more sensitive to the 18th century because there are so many battlefields, structures and other sites right here that they want to learn about. We’re surrounded by it."
The Revolutionary War in 1778 New Jersey, at the Clinton Community Center, 63 Halstead St., Clinton, opens with a lecture on Jan. 21, 8 p.m. Additional lectures will be held Feb. 18, March 18 and April 22 at 8 p.m. Admission costs $4. Pre-registration is suggested. For information, call (908) 735-4101.