January 2, 2022 Experience the Battle of Princeton
On January 2nd, 2022, NJSSAR participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at the four key sites of the events of the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In a show of great collaboration and unity, many patriotic societies participated in the event. Members of the Color Guard were joined by reenactors, officers, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution from both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Societies, and officers and members of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati, along with Color Guard units from the Atlantic Middle States District of the SAR, local dignitaries, and officers of the military units with lineage to the Battle of Princeton including:
2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment B Leicester Company (Rutland, England), representing the 17th Regiment of Foot,
1st Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery (Fort Reilly, Kansas), representing the New York Provincial Company of Artillery (aka “Alexander Hamilton’s Own”),
Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 1st Division, representing the Philadelphia Associators, 111th Infantry Battalion,
Pennsylvania Army National Guard, representing the Philadelphia Artillery Battalion, 103 Engineer Battalion (aka “The Dandy First”),
Delaware Army National Guard, representing Haslet’s 1st Delaware Regiment, the 198th Signal Battalion,
New Jersey National Guard, representing Neil’s Battery, East New Jersey Artillery, the 112thField Artillery Battalion.
At the January 2nd event, a re-enactment, now known as “Experience the Battle of Princeton”, was presented by the Princeton Battlefield Society. January 2nd dawned overcast and wet from the previous day’s rain, but the 57-degree temperature belied Winter. Approximately 100 British and American reenactors appeared on the battlefield of the January 3, 1777 Battle of Princeton, which ended the “Ten Crucial Days” of 1776-77. A crowd of over 450 spectators grew silent. Will Krakower, Historical Interpreter for the NJ State Park, welcomed everyone and introduced Michael Russell, president of the Princeton Battlefield Society, event organizer, who related the significance of this battle and of the men who fought here. Then, with a loud “HUZZAH!” from Krakower, an opening volley of muskets from the British’s 17th Regiment of Foot came from the western ridge of the field. “Experience the Battle of Princeton” had begun.
Reenactors remained on the battlefield and spoke to crowds of spectators providing more insight and historic interpretation. Their level of interest in the “Ten Crucial Days” of the American Revolution and the Battle of Princeton provided a wealth of understanding of our heritage and why living history is beneficial for our fellow citizens. “Experience the Battle of Princeton” was a fantastic success. This has become an annual event, commemorating the anniversary of this key battle during the “Ten Crucial Days” of the Revolution. Stay tuned, much bigger plans are in place to commemorate the Ten Crucial Days each year leading up to America250. For more information, or tours of the Ten Crucial Days Historic Area, visit TenCrucialDays.org Respectfully submitted, Roger S. Williams
