As some historical background, The New Jersey Militia participated in numerous battles and skirmishes during the American War for Independence . Militia of the State, from time to time, required that volunteers be called into service to repel raids, prevent foraging, protect the sea coast, supplement the Continental Army, and perform a variety of duties in territory which was in the area of strife.
In February 1776, the Continental Congress ordered Colonel Nathaniel Heard to take about 500 men of his New Jersey Militia through the Long Island towns of Jamaica , Hempstead , Jericho , and Oyster Bay , to disarm the loyalists. A wide assortment of weapons was confiscated, and the song “Yankee Doodle” was originally composed by the British to ridicule American troops. The British were astonished when the Americans began singing it themselves! As a result of Heard's foray through Long Island , they composed another verse to the song.... "Colonel Heard has come to town in all his pride and glory, and when he dies, he'll go to hell for robbing of the Tory."
On June 14, 1776 , New Jersey was requested to provide 3,300 militia troops for the defense of New York City . They were placed under the command of Continental General Nathaniel Greene and fought the British at Bedford Road in the Battle of Brooklyn in August. While encamped in New York City in late 1776, Colonel Heard was promoted to Brigadier General. His Brigade was composed of 16 companies of 160 officers and 1,762 enlisted men. They participated in Washington 's evacuation of New York City on September 12, 1776 and were camped in the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx .
Before the battles of Trenton and Princeton , Brigadier General Heard's brigade consisted of 800 officers and men of the following New Jersey Militia regiments: Colonel Phillip Van Cortland's regiment, Colonel David Forman's regiment, Colonel Joseph Phillip's regiment, Colonel Ephraim Martin's regiment, and Colonel Silas Newcomb's regiment. They fought at the Battle of White Plains, NY on October 28,1776 . Ordered to help man the half completed Fort Lee , Heard's Brigade crossed the Hudson sometime after September; and it is not known whether this was before or after the Battle of White Plains. While at Fort Lee , they narrowly escaped being part of the Fort Washington disaster when, as they were preparing to reinforce the garrison, they were called back when it was learned that the Fort was surrounded. From Township of Jefferson Bicentennial Committee website
