During the winter of 1776–77, Washington initially encamped the Continental Army at Morristown, New Jersey.
After his outpost garrison at Bound Brook was surprised and routed during the Battle of Bound Brook on April 13, 1777, Washington moved the encampment closer to Bound Brook to the Middlebrook encampment on May 28 and stayed there until July 2.
A total of 8,298 soldiers were housed in the encampment, but 2,660 of them were sick or disabled, unable to fight.
In contrast, the British maintained a force of about 17,000 near New Brunswick, New Jersey.
From the heights of the Watchung mountains, Washington could monitor and counteract British movements.
When General Howe decided to move against Philadelphia, concern over the threat by the Continental Army made him choose the safer sea route instead of the faster land route.
This led to a significant delay in operations for the British and disrupted plans to help General Burgoyne in northern New York.
On June 30, Howe moved his troops to Staten Island in preparation for his Philadelphia campaign,  and two days later Washington left Middlebrook and moved the army to Pompton Plains.
During the winter of 1776–77, Washington initially encamped the Continental Army at Morristown, New Jersey. After his outpost garrison at Bound Brook was surprised and routed during the Battle of Bound Brook on April 13, 1777, Washington moved the encampment closer to Bound Brook to the Middlebrook encampment on May 28 and stayed there until July 2. A total of 8,298 soldiers were housed in the encampment, but 2,660 of them were sick or disabled, unable to fight. In contrast, the British maintained a force of about 17,000 near New Brunswick, New Jersey. From the heights of the Watchung mountains, Washington could monitor and counteract British movements. When General Howe decided to move against Philadelphia, concern over the threat by the Continental Army made him choose the safer sea route instead of the faster land route. This led to a significant delay in operations for the British and disrupted plans to help General Burgoyne in northern New York. On June 30, Howe moved his troops to Staten Island in preparation for his Philadelphia campaign,  and two days later Washington left Middlebrook and moved the army to Pompton Plains.
Middlebrook encampment