NJ, USA
First Winter Encampment at Morristown
January 6, 1777
After his victories at Trenton and Princeton, Washington marched the Continental Army to Morristown in January 1777 for winter quarters. The choice was strategic: Morristown sat behind the Watchung Mountains, which provided a natural defensive barrier against British advance from New York, while the surrounding iron industry could supply the army.
The army that arrived was in desperate condition. Many soldiers had marched barefoot through snow. Enlistments were expiring. Smallpox was spreading through the ranks faster than any British advance. Washington established his headquarters at Jacob Arnold's Tavern on the town green and dispersed troops among local homes and farms.
The encampment lasted until May 1777. During these months, Washington reorganized his battered forces, recruited new enlistments, and made the fateful decision to inoculate his entire army against smallpox — a procedure that was controversial, medically risky, and strategically brilliant. The army that emerged in spring was healthier and more organized than the one that had stumbled into town.
People Involved
Continental Army major general (1742-1786) who served as quartermaster general during the Morristown winter encampments and later commanded the Southern Department.
Morristown militia colonel and ironmaster (1738-1777) whose mansion served as Washington's headquarters during the first winter encampment and whose family hosted the general's household.
Morristown widow (1741-1824) who shared her family mansion with Washington's military household during the first winter encampment while managing the Ford estate after her husband's death.
Virginia planter and Continental Army commander-in-chief who owned and managed Mount Vernon's enslaved workforce. Absent from his estate for most of the war, he directed Lund Washington's management by correspondence and returned to find the plantation's human community shaped by eight years of wartime disruption.
Washington's chief aide-de-camp during both Morristown encampments, Hamilton managed correspondence, gathered intelligence, and grew increasingly frustrated with the weak central government that left the army starving.
Joined Washington at Morristown during both winter encampments, managing the headquarters household, organizing sewing circles to produce clothing for soldiers, and hosting events to maintain officer morale.