The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-04
PRlNCET0N'S GREAT DAY.
A bHAM BATTLE IN IMITATION OF
AN OLD-TIME REAL ONE.
A Revolutionary Contest thnt Contributed TO
the Success Of American Indcpendence-
Tho Good Time had over II Yesterday.

y
battle Of Princeton was celebrated by sham
battle at Princeton Yesterday. Though tho
numbers engaged In the battle itself were small
tho victory gained at Princeton by the CONT
mental troops was most important In contribu
ting to the success OF American independence.
Wasbingtons troops had become thoroughly
disheartened. the number of descrions was
daily Increasing, and cold. hunger. and lack OF
clothing were gradually but surely demorazng
the small force still under bis command. His
position at tho time was most perilous. In hls
camp at Trenton his entire command did not
exceed fve thousand men. CORVALLIS was gath
erng an overwhelming force around him, and a
conflict seemed hopeless.
The British forces Yesterday were represented
by Companies ID, L, @. aud II Of the First Reei-
ment OF New Jersey National Guards. from Now
ark, commanded respectively by Carts. Alfred
Williams. Samuel Klotz. W. W. Hullnsh. and
Thomas FaIrservicc. and Companies Il and q Of
the Seventh Regiment New Jersey National
Guards, from Trenton. commanded by Capts.
Peter wilkes and Samuel VI. Yeomans.
The Continental forces were represented by
Company c, PHI. kearney Guards, Third icgi-
ment New jersey National Gua-ds, from Eliza
both, commanded by Capt william II De Hart :
Company B First Regiment PENNSYLVANIA Infan-
try; from Philadelphia, commanded by Capt. J.
J. Dunn. and three computes OF Continentals
from irinceton commanded respectively by
Caps. 4. l.. Green, John H. Margerum, and
~. ".
the old Continental uniform. the other wore
their everyday working attire, Just as though
they had been called from the neld or the work.
shop. presenting perhaps an Ger true picture OF
many of the soldiers Of the Revolutionary War
Col. Mawnood. who commanded the British in
the real battle OF Princeton was Yesterday rep
resented In the sham battle by Col. iillam Al
len. OF the First Resiment. Of New Jersey Ma
tional Guards Of Newark. He had for his ad ju-
tant Matthew Dunlap. The Newark battalion
was commanded by Lieut. -Col. Edward A.
Campbell. Col William {; vandewater repre-
fpd ha all "a NJ nf fIa H.
mental forces, while the entire Continent II army
hid for its Commander-in In chief. In place of
The Philadelphia company arrived at vP NJ.
on Tuesday; They we're met at the depot by
Cooks Hall, where they were quartered for the
night. This company Is reearded as the crack
company OF philadelphia, and presents an ap.
pearancs that warrants the Citv Of " Brotheriy
Love " In feeling Justly proud Of IL
The companies from Newark ana Elizabeth did
morning. The Elizabeth company, which 10
known as the Phil kearney Guards, is regarded
US the best drilled In the state. besides its
handsome COMPANY nlg 1t carried the battle fag
oil the lamented General In whose honor IL Is
cross. Gen. kearney had 1t with nm In the
battle Of Cnantilly, in which he Welded up his
lic blood on the altar of his country. 1t IA but
remnant now not more than half Of 1t still
cltngs to the stan
The two companies from Trenton did not ar-
rive until IL lock. No train mot them at the
Junction, and after waiting for a time Company
q started to march to Princeton rather than
is composed entirely OF men VINO have been in
active service. No one Ia received except he has
served al least two years IN tho army. Eicn Of
the several mmands was received al the de-
pot by the Princeton Continent1s.
The headqnarters oi the Continental army
was established at the Nassau Hotel, about
twentv-nvs yards from where Washington had
his headquarters in III. At 10 o'clock on Tues
dav night a council OF war was held. and the di.
vision OF troops and plan OF action decided
upon. u was desired to conform as near a. pos
sible to the action Of the British and American
forces In III. and as closely IS practicable to
the same battle ground. The snow ON a level
made to remove IL, but, with the execution of
beating 1t down somewhat Ia tue middle OF the
street, without success.
The morning broke clear and cold. By
o'clock the sidewalk of the main street was
crowded with the good people OF jersey from
street were handsomely decorated with buntlng,
while from every Flagstaff noated the national
cOlors. Miss julia Smitn, an old resident Of
Princeton, and one who takes an interest in all
things pertaining to revolutionary affairs. had IN
front OF her house handsome n ~, wnle over
the door was an old Continental musket and
sword
At I2 o'clock the troops Of both armies were
formed on Nassau street, and AZ half past IL
O'Clock the Americans took no their line OF
march for the old bsrrack on Edeehll. shortly
after they were followed by the British. Not
withstanding the oeep snow, the marching OF
the troops on both sides was excellent. OF
course the NV uniformed Continental, were
the subject OF much good natured criticism.
But many, regarding them As the true type OF
their forofatners who had baitled for freedom
saw moro Of p triotic sentiment than ludicrous-
ness IN their appearance.
As tho British troops marched up the hill,
Capts. Greene and Legeeti's comp nes. COM
manded bv Col Vandewater, who wore the
identical sword worn by Gen. Mercer on the 3d
OF January, III, opened Are upon them. Three
vollevs were fired, the British still steadily
marching m on in column OF companles.
from the front OF the advancing column.
Col. vandewateI' who, IN imitation Of
Gen. Mercer nad dsmounted, was seen TO
Dlrmay Ia Oye ~ al IN
his mmand and as they fell back in disorder.
the British under Col Allen, with u sbout of
Drake, In imitation OF Washington, appeared
above the crest. leading the Philade iphians Tnis
position had been given to them the more accu-
rdtely TO carry out the imitation Of tine real
battle, where Washing on led the Pepnsylv ma
militia to ths rescue of Gen. MERGERS command
Col. Allen, with his command, contested the
ground inch 10y inch, but was finally forced to
retire. As he fell back, his troops at company
front delivered "A yoliey, then breaking TO the
rlght aud lett, reformed at the head OF tho
column and reloaded, thus exposing continu-
ous front to the America Ia executing The
naDeuvres the men were forced TO 90 through
the deep snow In tine trenches on each side of
the road, yet there was but little confusion I'm
the rayine at the foot Of the hill another stand
WAS IN de. and the ground hotly contested.
After drlNing them back from tins point tho
Americans pursued them rapidly a. the Mercer
street hill to tho old corner store at Sto ktOn
ana Nassau streets.
Ia the mean Time the Philadelphia company
had been detached at Railroad avenue, and pro
ceedlng thence, reached the rear of tie college
building, IN front Ol Nhich a BRUSH company
had been sent by col. Allen to form line OF bat
tie. lhe man body Of the Americans drove the
British back from ths corner store, aud tnen
began the rOut. The BRITISH hrd down Nassau
street to the college campus, hOtly pursued by
the Americans. As they entered the grounds
they rapidly formed In line on the company al
ready there, I'm nediately IN front OF the old col
lege. The Americans followed, and, forming
inside the campus near the fence, opened "a
heavy FIRE, which was brlskly replied ~ by the
enemy.
Just then the nankIng party Of Philadelphian,
came MP In the rear Of the British and Ouencd
fire. This portion of The battle WAS admirably
executed. Iue roar OF musketrl was clniinu-
Gus, and the relative pOri.'ous presented much
the appearance Of a real battle. A charge Was
ordered by Gen. Drake aud the British were
captured. COl. Allen surrendered his sword 10
Col. Hagemln OF Gen. Drake stan.
After the battle WAS over HE troops wero
seated Mt sumpiuOus dinner, prcuared under
direction Of Mir X. II. Rose o! tue committee.
The Death of Eph Horn.
Evan 4. Horn, better known as Eph Horn"
the negro minstrel, did Of pneumonia In 81 Vincent