June 24th (Wednesday)

revised 1/1/02

General Washington at Hunt's House

W.o.W.:
"To MAJOR GENERAL PHILEMON DICKINSON
John Hunt's [footnote: Hunt's receipt for the use of his house, in the Washington Papers is dated June 25, 1778] near the Baptist Meeting House, 1/2 after 4 A.M., June 24, 1778
  Dear Sir : At four O'Clock this morning I received your favour of yesterday dated 1/2 after 11 P. M. If Genl. Clinton's intention is what you suppose it to be, It will be extremely difficult to account for his conduct.[footnote: Dickinson supposed that Clinton was trying to bring on a general action.]  It is likely his movements in a little time or his delays will place his views out of doubt with all.  I am etc. ..."

Greenman:
"“this morn thare was a detachtmt of 5 thousan men sent toward the enemy  Continuing in hope will holding our Selvs in readiness for to march  we hear that the enemy is gone to South amboy”

Freeman:
" … Washington decided to give his men another day’s rest and, meantime, to hold a council of war at 9 o’clock on the 24th , in complete defiance of an eclipse of the sun."
" … Steuben  reported on the 24th that the enemy undoubtedly had taken the direct road from Allentown to Monmouth Court House…."

Brechnell:
"2, Washington Well Farm
"... It was here that one segment of the marching army, set in motion from Hopewell headquarters en route to Freehold, finding June 24, 1778 , a hot and humid day, stopped to drink at the roadside well (still there across the road).  .. This was also the home of one of Washington's soldiers, Captain Simon Duryea of the First Battalion."

McHenry:
"In consequence of intelligence from Gen. Dickinson we remain on the ground we took yesterday-- The day spent in digesting intelligence and decyphering the enemy's intentions."
"1400 picked men ordered to march towards the enemy under Brigadier General Scott."
"The seventh day since the evacuation of Philadelphia and the enemy tent near Allen's Town.  This gives rise to a conjecture that their slow movement is not the consequence of obstructions-- broken bridges &c., but that it proceeds from a desire to give us battle.  I don't think so."
"-- A council of war. -- The majority against putting the enemy in a situation which might bring on a general engagement. -- The General however determines to attack."

Geographical Notes:

  The many letters of this day are from:
  • Headquarters, Hunt's House
  • John Hunt's near the Baptist Meeting House
  • Hopewell Township, Jersey, near the Baptist meeting house
  • Head Quarters, Hopewell
  • Hopewell Township (2)
  • Head Quarters, Hopewell Township (4)
  •   This implies to me that "Hopewell" was an area name, and not the specific name for what is now Hopewell Borough.  There has been some confusion about where Hunt's house was.  Brechnell places it out E. Broad Street, on the current Hopewell / Montgomery Twp. line, near "Stoutsburg" (on USGS maps), on Province Line Road. It is about three  miles from the Baptist Meeting House in down-town Hopewell.   Considering how empty the area was in 1778, three miles to the east might be considered "close" to a landmark like the Meeting House.
       The road between these points crosses several brooks.  North of the meeting house, the land is hilly, south there is a bit of a basin, but not very flat.   Where did the army 'incamp'? If it's along those brooks, the distance between army and commander isn't that great.
        Others have done extensive research on this history, and more information will be added here, as I learn more.
        I want to learn: How total was the solar eclipse?  Also, how much does it take to drink a well dry?  Why didn't they drink it dry on the 25th when the main army went by?  Who was it going through on the 24th?  Is this legend or fact?

    Hopewell Boro

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