December 22, 1774 — Greenwich, NJ#

The Greenwich Tea Burning Richard Howell and his twin brother Lewis participate in burning British tea in Greenwich, Cumberland County, New Jersey — an act of defiance that marks the brothers’ entry into the revolutionary cause. See: Greenwich Tea Burning.

1776 — New Jersey#

Richard Howell Enlists in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment Richard Howell is commissioned as an officer in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Army, serving under Brigadier General William Maxwell. His brother Lewis enlists as Regimental Surgeon. See: 2nd New Jersey Regiment.

September 11, 1777 — Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania#

Battle of Brandywine Richard Howell serves at the Battle of Brandywine, one of the largest engagements of the war. General Howe’s British forces outflank Washington’s army, forcing a retreat toward Philadelphia. The Continental Army suffers significant losses but remains intact.

October 4, 1777 — Germantown, Pennsylvania#

Battle of Germantown Richard Howell participates in the Battle of Germantown, Washington’s bold counterattack against the British forces occupying Philadelphia. Despite initial successes, the attack is repulsed. The engagement demonstrates the growing capability of the Continental Army.

Winter 1777–1778 — Valley Forge, Pennsylvania#

Valley Forge Encampment The 2nd New Jersey Regiment winters at Valley Forge with Washington’s army. The encampment is one of the war’s most severe trials. Dr. Lewis Howell, serving as Regimental Surgeon, uses his own funds to purchase blankets for the men of the regiment. Richard Howell appears on the Valley Forge Muster Roll. See: 2nd New Jersey Regiment.

June 5, 1778 — Blackhorse Tavern, New Jersey#

Dr. Lewis Howell Dies Richard’s twin brother, Dr. Lewis B. Howell, dies at Blackhorse Tavern, New Jersey, from illness contracted during the campaign. He is 23 years old. (Note: The date of June 5, 1778, requires primary source verification — see Andrew’s research note below.)

June 20, 1778 — New Jersey#

Howell’s Intelligence Letter to Benedict Arnold Richard Howell writes an intelligence letter to Benedict Arnold — then Military Governor of Philadelphia and a celebrated American general — reporting on British troop movements and positions gathered from behind enemy lines. The letter is later published in The Papers of George Washington. See: Letter to Benedict Arnold.

June 28, 1778 — Monmouth County, NJ#

Battle of Monmouth Courthouse Richard Howell serves at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, one of the longest battles of the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army, now trained and disciplined after Valley Forge, holds its ground against the British in brutal summer heat. The battle ends in a strategic draw; the British continue their march to New York.

August 8, 1778 — Head Quarters#

Washington Commends Howell’s Intelligence Work General Washington writes regarding Richard Howell’s ongoing intelligence gathering operations, documenting Howell’s role in the network reporting British troop movements through Maxwell’s brigade at Elizabethtown. See: Revolutionary War Correspondence.

October 5, 1778 — Black Point, NJ#

Letter to Colonel Israel Shreve Richard Howell writes to Colonel Israel Shreve from Black Point, New Jersey, reporting on his intelligence observations and his personal affairs — including a reference to Keziah Burr, the Quaker woman he intends to marry. The letter is preserved in the Israel Shreve Papers at Louisiana Tech University. See: Letter to Shreve, October 1778.

March 21–25, 1779 — Middlebrook, NJ#

Final Intelligence Correspondence In late March 1779, Washington’s headquarters at Middlebrook issues orders channeling intelligence through Howell’s network at Elizabethtown. General Maxwell writes to Colonel Shreve that “Major Howell” has been given command at Spanktown (now Rahway, NJ). These are among the last official records of Howell’s active field intelligence service.

April 1779 — New Jersey#

Richard Howell Resigns His Commission Richard Howell resigns his commission from the 2nd New Jersey Regiment after three years of active service. He has fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and served as a trusted intelligence officer for General Washington.

January 11, 1780 — Morris Town, NJ#

Board of War Secret Intelligence Mission Washington’s headquarters at Morristown records that Richard Howell has been employed by the Board of War on a “Plan of Intelligence” — a secret post-resignation intelligence role. This document, preserved in The Papers of George Washington, reveals that Howell’s service to the American cause continued even after he left the Continental Army. See: Revolutionary War Correspondence.

1787 — New Jersey#

Delegate to Ratify the New Jersey Constitution Richard Howell serves as one of two delegates from Gloucester County, New Jersey, elected to ratify the United States Constitution. This marks his transition from soldier to statesman.

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