On June 14, 1777 The Continental Congress passed a law to adopt an official 13-star United States flag.
The very first official 13-star flag of the United States was made by Betsy Ross, brought from Philadelphia to Washington's Continental Army to fly over the Middlebrook Encampment.
The Middlebrook Encampment is located near Martinsville, New Jersey. The area is a natural fortress and was the location of two major encampments of Washington's Continental Army, during the early summer of 1777, and during the winter of 1778-1779.
The main portion of the army was placed at The Middlebrook Encampment, where they could move to protect New Jersey, threaten New York and Staten Island, and quickly re-enforce the Highlands. The New Jersey Brigade would be stationed separately near Elizabethtown, guarding the coast. Another brigade would be stationed at Danbury, Connecticut, where they could quickly defend the Highlands, or move south towards the north end of Manhattan island.
The Virginia troops were posted just west of the gap where Middlebrook creek flows out of the mountains, at Chimney Rock. The Virginia position extended along today's Foothill Road. The Maryland Brigade was posted east of the gap, past Vossler Avenue almost to Mountain Avenue. The Pennsylvania Brigade were posted south, at Weston, in today's Manville. Several miles north west along the ridge, at Pluckemin. Washington had his Headquarters in what is now Somerville.
Official 13-star United States flag
Today, By a special order of Congress, a Thirteen Star Flag is flown 24 hours a day at George Washington's Camp Ground, Middlebrook encampment.
On every July 4, a ceremony is held, with a changing of the flag, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and the delivery of an historical address. This event has been commemorated annually since 1889 .
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