Executing Officers - The Pompton Mutiny of the New Jersey Line
The Pompton Mutiny broke out in New Jersey in response to the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny.
Unlike the soldiers in Pennsylvania, the New Jersey men were met with a severe punishment and unrest in the Continental Army all but dissapeared for several years.
The Pompton Mutiny
In January of 1781, just as the mutiny of soldiers from the Pennsylvania Line was being resolved, another bought of unrest broke out.
This time, men from the New Jersey Line also decided they were underpaid.
Inspired by their comrades from Pennsylvania, the decision was made to march to Trenton and demand better treatment from the government.
Suppressing Unrest
Embarrassed from the debacle with the Pennsylvania Line, and fearful that mutiny might become a habit which would destroy the Continental Army, George Washington decided to act.
He sent Robert Howe with a force of 500 men to stop this internal rebellion.
Howe arrived at the New Jersey Line’s camp and took the soldiers by surprise. They were outnumbered and surrendered immediately.
Firing Squad
The New Jersey Line was to be made an example of, and their punishment severe.
Two of the three leading officers, David Gilmore and John Tuttle, were convicted and sentenced to death.
They were executed by firing squad.
The men who were forced to carry out the capital punishment were several of the mutineers from the New Jersey Line.
With tears in their eyes, the shot their former commanding officers.
Quelling Rebellion
From a discipline standpoint, the crushing of the Pompton Mutiny (so called because it took place in Pompton, New Jersey) was a success for the Continental Army.
Conditions had been harsh, and pay late, for several years.
If mutinies continued to break out, Washington’s Army would have destroyed itself before Britain had the chance.
The mutiny’s suppression, violent as it was, seems to have ended this kind of seditious talk throughout the nation...at least through the end of active hostilities.
Want to read about other EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION?
Check out these articles:
The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781
There were several mutinies during the Revolutionary War.
‘Rebellion in the Ranks’ takes a look at all of the mutinies…and their repercussions.
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