NJ, USA
Pennsylvania Line Mutiny Site (Mount Kemble)
Monument
Mount Kemble, located south of Morristown along what is now Tempe Wick Road, was the encampment site of the Pennsylvania Line during the winter of 1780-1781. It was here, on the night of January 1, 1781, that approximately 1,500 Pennsylvania soldiers mutinied against their officers, seized their weapons, and began marching toward Philadelphia to demand redress of grievances from the Continental Congress. A historical marker at the site commemorates the mutiny, which was the most serious internal crisis the Continental Army faced during the war. The site is accessible from trails within Morristown National Historical Park.
What Happened Here
The Pennsylvania Line mutiny of January 1781 was not a spontaneous uprising but the culmination of years of broken promises. The soldiers had not been paid in months, their enlistment terms were disputed, and many lacked adequate clothing and food. The mutineers maintained remarkable discipline throughout their march, killing two British spies who attempted to recruit them and negotiating directly with congressional representatives. The event forced Congress to address the systemic failures of army administration, though many of the underlying problems persisted until the end of the war.
Visiting Today
Address
Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Hours
Dawn to dusk
Admission
Free
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