Affair at Little Egg Harbor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Little Egg Harbor massacre
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date October 15, 1778 Location near Little Egg Harbor, present-day Tuckerton, New Jersey Result British victory
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Kazimierz Pułaski	Patrick Ferguson
Strength
50	250
Casualties and losses
30–50 killed 5 captured	3 killed 3 wounded

The Little Egg Harbor massacre was a surprise attack during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on October 15, 1778, in southern New Jersey. American Loyalists, who supported the British, attacked sleeping Patriot soldiers. They killed nearly 50 Patriot men with bayonets. This event took place about a week after the Battle of Chestnut Neck. That earlier battle was a British raid to stop American privateers. Privateers were like legal pirates who captured British ships and their goods.

Why the Attack Happened

British Army officer Captain Patrick Ferguson led a raid on Chestnut Neck. This town was on the Mullica River. His goal was to get back supplies taken by privateers. He also wanted to stop them from using the town as a base. From there, they sent captured goods to General Washington's army.

Count Kazimierz Pułaski and his new soldiers were sent to stop Ferguson. Pulaski's Legion arrived the day after Ferguson left Chestnut Neck. Their arrival did stop Ferguson from attacking the iron works at Batsto. It also helped protect the privateers at The Forks of the Mullica River. For about a week, the two forces watched each other.

The Surprise Attack

A plaque marking the site of the Little Egg Harbor attack.

Pulaski's troops reached the Little Egg Harbor area. This is near what is now Tuckerton. They quickly set up camp on a farm.

A soldier named Lt. Gustav Juliet left Pulaski's side and found Captain Ferguson. Juliet told Ferguson where Pulaski's camp was. He also said that the Patriot soldiers were not feeling very strong. He mentioned that their security was almost nonexistent.

Ferguson quickly put 250 of his best men into boats. They rowed about ten miles in the dark to what is now Osborne Island. From there, they marched two miles to a small outpost. This outpost had fifty Patriot soldiers. It was a short distance from the main camp.

At first light, Ferguson ordered his men to attack. His men were American Loyalists. They took only five prisoners. They killed nearly 50 Patriot soldiers in the surprise attack.

Pulaski eventually led his mounted troops to the scene. This caused Ferguson to retreat back to his boats. A few of Ferguson's men were left behind and captured by the Patriots.

What Happened Next

• The farmland where the battle took place is now a developed area called Country Club Estates.
• A small part of the original colonial farm was saved. It is located between Hollybrook Drive and Cedarbrook Lane.
• The Pulaski Monument is on Pulaski Blvd in Mystic Island.