Middlebrook - [paperback] The Revolutionary Encampment That Save

The Revolutionary War encampments of George Washington’s Continental Army at Middlebrook and nearby Pluckemin, New Jersey, have been neglected in history. These places were critical to the American struggle during the Middle Atlantic campaigns. The highlands and surrounding valleys of this natural fortress were the location of two major encampments of Washington’s Continental Army­­—a harrowing seven weeks during the early summer of 1777, and during the entire winter of 1778-1779. What is astonishing is that the American Army spent close to nine months here, yet this hub of the American Revolution has languished in obscurity and virtually disappeared from national awareness for over 200 years.

These campgrounds served as the center of operations for American forces through much of the war and during many of its darkest hours. Most significant is that at Middlebrook, where during the winter of 1778-1779 the raw American Army matured into a cohesive fighting power capable of defeating the British forces, who were regarded at the time as the best trained and equipped army in the world. Unlike Valley Forge and Jockey Hollow, that have been so eulogized that they are familiar to most school children, this sacred land, where decisive events occurred that changed the course of the war, is now built over by suburban creep, rarely marked, shrouded in mystery and mythology, and fading from the collective American memory.

Praise for previous books by Robert A. Mayers

"Bob Mayers takes us onto the battlefields and encampments of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. You can almost smell the burned gunpowder and firewood, and hear the sounds of shots and officers shouting orders. This is not just a book for history buffs. It is a book for every New Jerseyan, to help them appreciate our rich history and critical role in America's fight for independenve" - Mark Di Ionno, well-known Star-Ledger columnist, and finalist for the Pulitizer Prize.

“These days it is easy to travel from place to place without much regard for the landscape, much less for the events that occurred along the way in years past; yet it was those very events, and the influence of the landscape upon them, that shaped the world in which we live. Robert A. Mayers revisits the forgotten places at the center of the Revolutionary War to put us in touch with the history that happened all around us.” - Don N. Hagist, Editor, Journal of the American Revolution

“Bob Mayers digs deep in his investigations of local New Jersey sites and uncovers important facts that no one else has found. His work has a wealth of new revolutionary material.” - Linda Barth, Author, Executive Director and Editor, League of Historic Societies of New Jersey

“Robert A. Mayers has a gift for peering beyond the popular mythologies of the American Revolution and revealing the very human complexities that make it fascinating, relatable and relevant. With Revolutionary New Jersey he takes the reader beyond the well-trod tales of battles like Trenton, Monmouth and Princeton to explore the unappreciated corners where the Garden State truly earned its reputation as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution.’” - Gordon Bond, author, founder of the website www.gardenstatelegacy.com

“New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution: It is an honor for me to review Revolutionary New Jersey, the latest book by author and fellow SAR compatriot Bob Mayers. In it he explores the fascinating history of many critical war sites in our state that have been forgotten or overlooked in history. Many are familiar, but we are unaware of the full story of fierce struggles that occurred at these places during America’s most important war. We should all support Bob Mayers’ efforts to pass on the glorious story of the Revolutionary War in our home state. - Clark D. McCullough, Past President, New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution, President of the Elizabethtown Chapter #1

“Revolutionary New Jersey is well-researched, utilizing numerous valuable primary sources. It covers many locales in New Jersey associated with the war, telling of local landmarks and overlooked stories from our past. This book is a must-have for any Revolutionary War or New Jersey historian.” - Kelly Lindheimer, founder of the website www.thehistorygirl.com

“An exciting and insightful description into how New Jersey was ideally situated to be the major host of the American Revolutionary War. In Revolutionary New Jersey: Forgotten Towns and Crossroads of the American Revolution, Bob Meyers draws his readers’ attention into the crucial role New Jersey citizens played in the winning of the war.’ - Donald Johnstone Peck, historian, author, Trustee of the League of New Jersey Historical Societies

“Historian and author Bob Mayers’ latest work, Revolutionary New Jersey, fills a major void in our known history of the American Revolution. The research and passion that Mr. Mayers has poured into this effort lays at our feet, facts and information sorely lacking in our common historic knowledge concerning the birth of our United States. I believe this book will be a ‘must have’ for every person’s library interested in the founding of this great country. - Cynthia Blumenkrantz, President, The Heritage Trail Association, Inc.

“A comprehensive study of New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution on the local level, and a satisfying read for history buffs.” - Jeanne Floersheimer, President, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table

“This study is an area neglected in many of the standard works. Who knew in my own backyard? Places we drive by on the way to work or on vacation, all brought to life. Things that should be taught in schools are now relegated to living historians, reenactors, docents and labors of love like this.” - Kathy Faulks, Chairman, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, NJ (W3R-NJ.org); Secretary, Friends of the Abraham Strauss House, Inc.; Commissioner, Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, New Jersey

“I am delighted that Bob Mayers, fellow historian and compatriot Son of the American Revolution, has been able to ‘fill in the blanks’ about many of the under-appreciated battles and events of the American Revolution that transpired in New Jersey. Without thoughtful and prolific historians like Bob, these important events would stay in the shadows, and never reveal the enormous contribution of the citizen-soldiers who gave their all for the cause of Liberty. Without this book, it would be hard to imagine the true meaning and scope of so many key battles, whose physical sites have vanished underneath highways and homes. Bob has the unique ability to bring these places and events back to life, to help us value our heritage all the more.” - Warren C. Fristensky, SAR West Fields Chapter President

“New Jersey played a critical part in America’s War for Independence. Nestled between New York and Philadelphia, the state truly became the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution.’ Bob Mayers provides a needed examination of some of the state’s little-known encounters and encampment sites that spanned the countryside during the crucial years of the war. This volume helps fill a much-needed gap in the state’s Revolutionary history.” - Todd Braisted, author of Grand Forage 1778: The Battleground Around New York City

“‘Revolutionary New Jersey brings recognition to those places in New Jersey that once were significant in our national history but are today only dimly remembered. Bob Mayers’ book renews our interest in these places, focusing attention on battlefields, towns, camps, and villages that played important roles in the creation of the American Republic. These sites provide a uniqueness of place to New Jersey and Mayers’ book reminds us to preserve and protect these places. Further, we should take pride in the achievements and actions of the men and women his book has brought to light.” - Wade P. Catts, Historical Archeologist

“Many of us in New Jersey are residing in the midst of American Revolutionary War history without knowledge or appreciation of the many glorious events that occurred here and led to the formation of our nation. Our state has lagged behind in acknowledging many of the critical places where patriots fought, suffered and died. After reading Revolutionary New Jersey and reacting to its subtitle Forgotten Towns and Crossroads, I know these places will now be remembered—and thanks to Bob Mayers we will be able to say, ‘I am proud to live here!’” - Rich Rosenthal, Cofounder, with historian John T. Cunningham, of the North Jersey American Revolution Roundtable

Specifications

Format: 6" x 9" hardback printed in the United States on permanent acid-free paper; includes many black and white period photographs, maps and drawings of people, places and events mentioned in the text.
Pages 404
ISBN 10: 1-939995-38-8
ISBN 13: 978-1939995-38-4
LCCN: 2021000538
Price: $24.95 (Bulk order rates are available upon request)

ROBERT MAYERS bases his books on personal exploration of battlefields, encampments, and locales of many critical events of the Revolutionary War. His work sheds light on revered places that have been lost or neglected by history, including sites where patriots fought and died. These are often unmarked, shrouded in mystery, distorted by mythology, and entirely unknown even to local residents. He thrives on discovering facts about the American Revolution which are not included in the work of earlier writers.
His field trips, when combined with research using original documents and oral accounts of local historians, bring history alive. His readers often comment about how they regret that during their school days that they tuned out history as being distant and dull. His writing can be enjoyed by average readers, not only hardcore military history fans.
Mayers is an active member of several historic societies and is a frequent speaker and contributor to their publications. He has given presentations at West Point and the Pentagon and has been featured on Comcast TV and published in the History Channel Magazine, and Garden State Legacy. His service as a combat officer in both the Navy and the Marine Corps provides him with a deep perspective of the many battles depicted in
his work.
Bob is a graduate of Rutgers University and has served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University Graduate School. As the descendant of patriot soldier Corporal John Allison, the American Revolution has personal meaning for him. He is a longtime resident of Watchung, New Jersey.
Visit him on his website www.revolutionarydetective.com