Fort Nonsense (Morristown, New Jersey)

Fort Nonsense
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Part of	Morristown National Historical Park (ID66000053)
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966

Fort Nonsense is one of three sites comprising the Morristown National Historical Park, in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. The other two sites are the Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow.

Fort Nonsense occupies a high hilltop overlooking Morristown, and is believed to have been the site of a signal fire or smoke signal, along with earthworks. It was originally built at the order of General George Washington in 1777 for use during the American Revolutionary War that began in 1775 and was ended in 1783 by the Treaty of Paris.

History

The derivation of the name "Fort Nonsense" is unknown. Researchers say it does not appear in any known document before 1833. The often cited story is that Washington's original purpose for constructing the fort was to keep the American troops busy and out of trouble, however, Washington's intention is reportedly disclosed by an order in 1777, issued as he moved the Continental Army to the Middlebrook encampment. In the order he directed Jeremiah Olney to remain behind at Morristown and, in his words, "[with] the Militia now here . . . Guard the Stores of different kinds . . . Strengthen the Works already begun upon the Hill near this place, and erect such others as are necessary for the better defending of it, that it may become a safe retreat in case of Necessity."

To the contrary, the National Park Service provides these details:

It was common for a small fortification to be built for the protection of military encampments and strategic military depots. Originally referred to as “the Hill” or “Kinney’s Hill,” it commanded the town. Washington’s men dug trenches, raised embankments, built a guardhouse for 30 men, and fortified the crown of the hill with an earthwork redoubt or breastwork. The main function of the Fort was as a place of retreat for guards stationed in the town.

The location of Fort Nonsense is at the highest point rising above a relatively level plateau west of the Watchung Mountains on which Morristown was settled. The strategic point provides a clear view of the lands to the north, east, and south with a range of mountains arising directly to the west of the point. A strategy is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal, as differentiated from tactics or immediate actions with resources at hand, and the term originally was confined to military matters.

The mountains of northern New Jersey provided safe retreats behind natural barriers that the British troops and their conscripted Hessian auxiliaries to Great Britain were never ordered to scale after they had fared badly while attempting to negotiate the few passes, such as Hobart Gap. The movements of the British and their troops between New York and Philadelphia skirted along the coastal and narrow piedmont regions of the state until passing the southern boundary of the mountain ranges, readily visible to the scouts stationed atop the mountains to monitor their movement.

Current status

As it is not a current strategic outlook post but is rather a public park, much of the forest has grown back. The park service maintains open space on the east facade and the very top where a parking lot and a small park with a period cannon are. The eastward view encompasses the entire New York City skyline, Morristown's busy South Street, and most towns in between Morristown and New York City. On clear days (and nights) the view is spectacular, but the park is closed at night when the views of the NYC skyline are arguably the best.

External links

• Information about the fort on the park service site