A Revolutionary Celebration words and pictures by Christee Curran-Bauer
Introduction The Fourth of July, Independence Day for the United States of America, is celebrated every year to commemorate the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The document, signed by members of the Continental Congress, explained why the 13 colonies cut ties with Great Britain. But the Declaration of Independence was also a declaration of war with the most powerful empire in the world. General George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army, had a challenging road ahead. The Army was comprised of men from every one of the 13 colonies and from different races, nationalities, religions, and backgrounds. How would Washington motivate them to unite and fight against the mightiest military on the planet? One way was to have the entire army celebrate their new independence together, which they did on July 4, 1778. When we think of the Fourth of July, we imagine sitting under the stars to watch the fireworks light up the night sky. We wave miniature American flags, dress in red, white, and blue, have barbecues, and eat cold ice pops and juicy watermelon. The 1778 celebration Washington ordered looked a lot different from the celebrations we know today, but it started an important tradition of unity that has continued through generations of Americans as they celebrate Independence Day year after year.
It was a hot, sticky summer day, but Jack and Izzy couldn’t wait to see the Fourth of July fireworks later that night. Until then, they had to find a way to keep cool.
The curator greeted them as they arrived. “Mrs. V says you kids had some questions about one of the first Fourth of July celebrations,” said the curator.
“What do you think the first fireworks were like here?” wondered Izzy. “Let’s ask Mrs. Vermeule,” said Jack. “Hey, Mrs. V! What were the first fireworks like here?”
“I’m not that old, kids,” said Mrs. Vermeule, “but I know where we can go to find out! Come on, let’s get out of this heat.” Jack and Izzy liked that idea.
“We want to know about the first fireworks here!” they said. “Well, instead of the fireworks you know and love today, General Washington ordered a feu de joie, or “fire of joy,” which was a rifle salute fired by the entire Continental Army down the Raritan River. The line of soldiers was over two miles long!” “Whoa,” marveled Jack.
East Jersey Old Town Village
“Tell us more!” cried Izzy. The curator started from the beginning.
It was June 28, 1778. The Continental Army had just sent the British retreating at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey and it was so hot that soldiers from both armies were collapsing from heatstroke during the battle. While Washington’s Army was joyous over the much-needed victory, they were exhausted from the dangerous summer heat.
Washington’s General Orders for July 4, 1778 laid out instructions for the day. Soldiers prepared for the feu de joie by removing the musket balls from their worst cartridges so real bullets would not shoot out of the guns when they were fired.
Washington decided to march the Continental Army to Raritan Landing, where the cool, fresh water of the Raritan River would make a great place to camp, bathe, and cool off. The river was also the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day—to boost morale and remind his weary army of why they were fighting this war.
They dressed to look their best and decorated their hats with “green-boughs” or pine branches. Then, they waited for their signals.
!
B
M OO
!
BOOM
BOOM!
BOO
M! Cannons fired throughout the afternoon signaling over 10,000 troops to march over the bridge and form in two lines along the bank of the river. They marched to the rat-tat-tat of drums and whistling music of fifes.
After inspecting the lines on horseback, General Washington and his officers viewed the entire spectacle from Ross Hall, his Headquarters overlooking the Raritan River.
Thirteen cannons fired
BOOM! one for each of the colonies.
BOOM! went another cannon, signaling the running fire to begin.
One at a time, each musket and cannon fired down the line. Over and over again the soldiers continued to fire.
Loud cracking, flashing, and thundering could be heard for miles. Retreating British soldiers could even hear it from Sandy Hook on their way back to New York City! And before the smoke from the gunpowder cleared--
BOOM! one last signal for the thousands of soldiers to give three huzzas of:
“Perpetual and undisturbed Independence
to the United States of America!�
Celebrations continued after the feu de joie. A double allowance of rum was served to the army while General Washington hosted a ball that night at Ross Hall.
The ball was attended by Major Generals Nathaniel Greene and Marquis de Lafayette, Inspector General Friedrich von Steuben, and Aide de Camp Alexander Hamilton.
“So, even though they weren’t fireworks, that celebration over 200 years ago set the stage for how we celebrate the Fourth of July today!” concluded the curator. “All that happened here? It makes the fireworks display we’re seeing later seem kind of small,” observed Izzy.
The chatter of the crowd grew hushed as the sky turned deep blue. Scents of buttered popcorn and bug guard lotion hung in the air. Finally, it was time.
“Speaking of that, we better get going if we want a good spot to see them!” said Jack.
Jack and Izzy heard a sharp whizzzz as the first rocket shot up-- CRACK!
Happy Fourth of July!
Fun Facts
Bibliography
The Provincial Congress of New Jersey met in New Brunswick at the White Hall Tavern, which was located on Albany Street. (January 31 - March 2, 1776)
“General Orders, 3 July 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/
One of the earliest public readings of the Declaration of Independence took place in New Brunswick. (July 9, 1776)
Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, p. 15.]
John Adams and Ben Franklin were forced to share a bed together in a tavern in New Brunswick because there were no other rooms available. (September 9, 1776)
“General Orders, 4 July 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/
From New Brunswick Alexander Hamilton’s artillery battery held off the British while George Washington and the Continental Army retreated to Princeton and Trenton. (December 1, 1776)
Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, pp. 19–20.]
Shortly after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, George Washington attended a celebration in his honor at a tavern in New Brunswick. (December 5, 1783)
“Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey,” New Jersey Historical Society, https://archive.org/details/ser2newjerseyrev02newjuoft/page/280
President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams stayed at the Indian Queen Tavern. (November 8, 1797) The Cornelius Low House is one of two surviving Revolutionary War era homes from the Raritan Landing settlement. Visit the Cornelius Low House and East Jersey Old Town Village to learn more.
732-745-3030 East Jersey Old Town Village & Cornelius Low House Hours
― October
Director Kenneth Armwood,
www.middlesexcountynj.gov