1777
Following the strategic victories at Trenton and Princeton, the Continental Army was settling into its first winter encampment at Morristown. Washington recognized Morristown as an ideal “military capital” because it was shielded by the Watchung Mountains and the Great Swamp, providing a natural defense against British attacks from New York City. During this time in Morristown, Washington began a massive, controversial program to inoculate his entire army and the local civilian population against smallpox, a move that ultimately saved his forces from disintegration.
British and Hessian troops completed their evacuation of Elizabeth, NJ, retreating to the safety of Perth Amboy and Staten Island. This date marks the end of the active New York and New Jersey campaign of 1776–77, with the British having been pushed back to just a few outposts near New York City.
1780
During the second major winter at Morristown, the army faced its most desperate hours. Following a massive multi-day blizzard that ended on January 6, icy roads prevented all supplies from reaching the camp, forcing soldiers to eat tree bark and roast shoes to survive.