Back by popular
demand, the Third New Jersey Regiment re-enactment group returns to Grasmere
Park surrounding the Durand-Hedden house 11:00 am – 5:00 pm today
to set up a living history camp for visitors. The well-known reenactors will
accurately demonstrate 18th century military and civilian life
activities include tent building, military drills, musket firing, natural
dyeing, and spinning. They will also offer the opportunity to examine military
and domestic accoutrements and equipment. The event is free (donations
appreciated.)
The historic Third New Jersey Regiment, also
called the “Jersey Blues” because its
coats were blue with red lapels, was mustered during the American Revolution
and has a claim to be part of the longest history of any U.S. military
unit. Locally in
1780, during the War of Independence, the Regiment assumed defensive positions
around Elizabethtown. In June of that year it was the first to engage the
British and Hessian invasions from Staten Island. Joined by local militia and
the rest of the Jersey Brigade, the Regiment fought a delaying action at
Connecticut Farms (Union, NJ). A few days later, on June 23, it was
engaged again and fought valiantly as a leading element in the Battle of Springfield, NJ. A year later the
“Jersey Blues” also participated in the siege and victory at Yorktown.
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