The Fog of War

The Fog of War - The Battle of Short Hills was fought primarily in Scotch Plains, NJ with action in Metuchen, Edison and neighboring towns. In June, 1777, General Washington's army was encamped safely at Middlebrook Heights in the Watchung Mountains. The larger British Army, led by General Howe, shifted their position from New Brunswick to Perth Amboy and attempted to lure the rebels out of the mountains into a fight on the open plains, where superior numbers and armament would prevail. The Americans refused a frontal engagement, but, led by Lord Stirling, they harassed the British rear. Howe counterattacked in an effort to decimate Stirling's force and cut Washington's main force off from Middlebrook Heights. The result was a retreat under fire by Stirling, including a battle at the Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains that allowed Washington's main army time to reform and return to the safety of Middlebrook Heights. Washington is believed to have viewed the fighting from a vantage point in Green Brook, a vantage point now known as Washington's Rock.

Despite the name, the Battle of Short Hills had no connection to modern day Short Hills, a section of Millburn, NJ. Short Hills was home to a later action. In 1780 a British incursion through the Hobart Gap in Millburn threatened Washington's encampment at Morristown. This was turned back by General Maxwell, leading the New Jersey Brigade. The British would soon try again, leading to another battle in nearby Springfield. Washington may have viewed the fighting from a vantage point in the South Mountain Reservation, now known as - you guessed it - Washington's Rock.

If you see or hear Short Hills named as the location for the Battle of Short Hills, do not hesitate to explain that the actual location was Scotch Plains. Short Hills already has a famous mall, it does not need to claim an extra Revolutionary War battle.

Many Movie Theaters Decide to Leave the Bat Signal On Till Dawn - Commenting on the public excitement surrounding movie openings like Sex and the City and The Dark Knight, Thomas Tull, Chairman of Legendary Pictures and an executive producer of The Dark Knight, stated:

"In the public mind, opening weekends have been eventized."

As Good As News enjoyed Batman Begins, but will probably not stay up to 3AM to see The Dark Knight on opening day. We are happy, however, to demonstrate that we are one with the public mind by bloggizing on this topic. It is no surprise that Mr. Tull has named his company "Legendary".