The Enemy Harassed: Washington's New Jersey Campaign of 1777

by Jim Stempel

As few books regarding American history have achieved, Jim Stempel’s The Enemy Harassed brings a previously neglected period of the American Revolution to life.

In late December 1776, the American War of Independence appeared to be on its last legs. General George Washington’s continental forces had been reduced to a shadow of their former strength, the British Army had chased them across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, and enlistments for many of the rank and file would be up by month’s end. Desperate times call for desperate measures, however, and George Washington responded to this crisis with astonishing audacity. On Christmas night 1776, he recrossed the Delaware as a nor’easter churned up the coast, burying his small detachment under howling sheets of snow and ice. Undaunted, they attacked a Hessian brigade at Trenton, New Jersey, taking the German auxiliaries by complete surprise. Then, only three days later, Washington struck again, crossing the Delaware, slipping away from the British at Trenton, and attacking the Redcoats at Princeton—to their utter astonishment.

The British, now back on their heels, retreated toward New Brunswick as Washington’s reinvigorated force followed them north into Jersey. Over the next eight months, Washington’s continentals and the state militias of New Jersey would go head-to-head with the British in a multitude of small-scale actions and large-scale battles, eventually forcing the British to flea New Jersey by sea. In this captivating narrative of the American War of Independence, author Jim Stempel brings to life one of the most violent, courageous, yet virtually forgotten periods of the Revolutionary War. Sure to enthrall professional historians and book lovers of all stripes, The Enemy Harassed is scholarly history presented in an accessible style anyone can enjoy.

Genres: American Revolution

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2023

Reviews

[Bob Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though I grew up near the area where the action took place, I knew very little of the details, primarily because not a whole lot is told of Washington’s 1777 campaign in NJ between the battles at Trenton and Princeton at the end of 1776/beginning of 1777 and the time the British left NJ in August 1777. Known as the Forage War, there were countless skirmishes between the Americans and British during this time. A time when Washington’s army was almost nonexistent, hidden behind the Watchung Mountains, the American troops avoided all out battles with the British, but maintained constant pressure with what was left of the Continental Army and the various militias from NJ. A good, easy read, especially if you’re from NJ or a fan of American history.

[MARK LANDZERT · Rating 5 out of 5]

The foraging wars

An excellent treatment of the foraging wars fought in the Jerseys. The continental army learned how to fight and win against a professional army.