Why I Wrote It: Battle of Iron Works Hill

_{**Why I wrote it is a series in which I explain interesting things about the topic I chose or why it matters that people know this history. Please see the story being referenced here.}

I was looking into smaller battles of the Revolution because I find it fascinating to see the roles these less notable engagements played in the larger picture. I searched several areas, but finding one in New Jersey was great since I have the home-state advantage. The more I researched the Battle of Iron Works Hill, the more perfect it seemed. This small battle fought in New Jersey played a vital role in one of the most significant victories of the American Revolution. It has a fun history and a great “what if” scenario. 

So many things had to go right for these diversionary battles to work:

1. They had to engage enough that the British chased after them.
2. They had to engage little enough that they suffered few losses.
3. They had to repeat this process several times with the same success.
4. They hoped the British saw no reason to ignore these attacks and turn north. 

Had the British not chased, won outright, or ignored them, then Washington likely would have faced a much larger Hessian force. This larger force very well could have overwhelmed his forces and changed the tide of the war. To make matters even more incredible, no one could have known that the Hessian Commander, von Donop, was involved with a local woman and would decide to remain in South Jersey to stay close to her. And that this woman was only available because the Continental Army arrested her husband for potentially being a traitor. Think about how history hinges on such events. 

Aside from the fact that it is fascinating history, there is another reason to know this story. This story is the type that inspires pride in people, especially those from the area around the battle. Their town and ancestors played a small but vital role in the Revolution. It might give someone town pride, which is always a plus for a community. People who feel fond of their hometown will work toward its improvement. It might inspire people to become involved in social, environmental, and other projects because they now care. There are possibilities where knowing this history improves the world a bit.

Of course, none of that could happen, and at the end of the day, this is just a neat piece of history. That’s okay too. At least we all know that Dr. Daniel Bancroft probably felt silly when he learned that being imprisoned as a loyalist accidentally led his wife to help the Revolution. Oops.