Battle of Short Hills Monument

Ash Brook Golf Course, 1210 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908-490-8620

ucnj.org

The Battle of Short Hills occurred on a hot summer day in June 1777, in present day Edison and Scotch Plains. Despite its name, the battle did not take place in today’s Short Hills but was so named because of a series of small hills in the area. For several weeks, British and Hessian troops withdrew from New Jersey towards Staten Island in hopes of luring General George Washington from his position in the Watchung Mountains. In addition, the “forage war” was taking a toll on British garrisons in New Jersey. After several skirmishes, the American forces retreated into the Watchungs. Following the fighting, the British and Hessians completed their withdrawal to Staten Island and New Jersey was, for the first time since 1776, free of a large British occupying force.

Today, the Battle of Short Hills Monument commemorates the battle at the entrance of the Ash Brook Golf Course. The monument, erected in 1977 by the Scotch Plains American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, features a Revolutionary War cannon replica atop a stone tower.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• See the monument located in front of the Ash Brook Golf Course
• Retrace the steps of the Revolutionary War soldiers by exploring the Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail
• Visit the Osborn Cannonball House to learn how the Battle of Short Hills affected local residents