Framed Battle of Springfield N.J. 1780, by John Ward Dunsmore

Product Overview:

• Proudly handmade in the USA
• Wood frame with mat, glass front, paper duster backing with wire hanger
• Museum quality Giclee digital print using archival paper and inks
• Standard size frame measures approx. 24" wide x 17" tall
• Poster size frame measures approx. 36" wide x 25.5" tall

Frame Details:

We currently offer two lines of frames:

• Solid Wood Frames: Country Black Frame (main photo) or Grey Barnwood.
• Eco-Friendly BonanzaWood® Frames: Pitch Black, White American Barn, or Montauk Boardwalk. These eco-friendly frames provide the finish, look, and longevity of solid wood, yet are constructed of millions of tons of residual wood which is collected, cleaned and milled to uniform-size particles and formed to shape under intense heat and pressure.

Product Details:

Framed Battle of Springfield N.J. (Give 'em Watts, Boys) 1780, by John Ward Dunsmore is one of his famous Revolutionary War paintings. This picture depicts Parson Caldwell ("The Fighting Parson") after he has broken into the church to gather hymn books so that the soldiers had paper for wadding for their muskets.

While Washington's army was encamped at Morristown the British made several attempts to advance in that direction in the hope of capturing the American supplies. In one of these raids, early in June 1780, they reached the village of Connecticut Farms (now Union). Here they met with such stiff resistance from the Patriots, that they were beaten back, but before retreating, a British soldier, in cold blood, shot the wife of Parson Caldwell, who was alone in the parsonage with her children. Parson Caldwell was with Washington's troops, and this atrious action only made him more bitter against the Red Coats.

Two weeks later the British, in great force, made another advance, this time reaching Springfield, the next town beyond Union. Here they were met with a vigorous resistance from the Americans, and Parson Caldwell was in the front rank of the fighters. The soldiers, getting short of paper for wadding for their muskets, the Parson broke open the church door and soon appeared with an armful of hymn books (Watts Hymns), which he threw out, saying "Give 'em Watts, Boys! Give 'em Watts!"

The troops represented here are the New Jersey Militia and Colonel Angell's Rhode Island Regiment. H/T to Fraunces Tavern® Museum for the story.