January 8, 2023 Experience the Battle of Princeton

On January 8th, 2023, The New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution hosted ceremonies at the four key sites of the events of the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In a show of unity and collaboration, multiple hereditary societies and service organizations gathered to honor the sacrifice of patriots who sacrificed during the American War for Independence. Members of the Color Guard of the National Society, SAR and the General Society, Sons of the Revolution were joined by reenactors, officers, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution from both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Societies, officers and members of the Society of the Cincinnati, local dignitaries, and officers of the legacy unit representatives from the original thirteen states and from the United Kingdom with lineage to the battles of Trenton and Princeton including:

• 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 112th Field Artillery Battalion.

• Troop A, 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, representing First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry

• From Catterick Garrison, U.K., The Royal Lancers "Queen Elizabeth’s Own,” representing the 16th Light Dragoons

On a sunny 38º degree day, the “Experience the Battle of Princeton” reenactment was presented by the Princeton Battlefield Society with approximately 300 reenacts and over 1,000 spectators, 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. 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. This has become an annual event commemorating the anniversary of this key battle during the “Ten Crucial Days” of the Revolution.

Following the reenactment, the Commemorative Wreath Event honoring the soldiers who fought and fell in battle during the Ten Crucial Days was presented by the hereditary societies and service organizations and the legacy unit representatives.

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