Battle of Bound Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Bound Brook |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
 Map by Johann Ewald depicting the Bound Brook area and the plan of attack. New Brunswick is at the bottom, and the Bound Brook outpost at the center. British movements are drawn in red. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Benjamin Lincoln |
 Charles Cornwallis |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 500 | 4,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Reports vary: 40 to 120 killed, wounded or captured | Light: 7 wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Bound Brook happened on April 13, 1777. It was a surprise attack by British and Hessian (German soldiers hired by the British) forces. They attacked an American army outpost in Bound Brook, New Jersey. The British wanted to capture the entire American group there. They didn't quite succeed, but they did take some prisoners. The American commander, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, had to leave very quickly. He even left behind his important papers and personal items.
On the night of April 12, 1777, about 4,000 British and Hessian soldiers marched. They were led by Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. They came from the British base in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Most of their troops got into position around the outpost before the battle began. The fight started near daybreak the next morning. Most of the 500 American soldiers managed to escape. They used a route that the British had not blocked. American reinforcements arrived later that afternoon. But by then, the British had already taken supplies from the outpost. They had also started their march back to New Brunswick.
Why the Battle Happened
After the battles of Trenton and Princeton in late 1776 and early 1777, the American Continental Army settled down. Major General George Washington set up his winter camp in Morristown, New Jersey. The British and German forces, led by Lieutenant General William Howe, stayed in New York City and northern New Jersey.
During the winter, there was a kind of "guerrilla war." American militia groups, sometimes with army help, would bother British outposts. They also ambushed British groups looking for food and supplies. One of the main places for these American operations was Bound Brook, New Jersey. This town was on the Raritan River, upstream from New Brunswick. New Brunswick was the main British camp in New Jersey.
The American post at Bound Brook was important. It guarded three bridges over the Raritan River. These bridges were likely routes for the British to attack Morristown. In February 1777, the Bound Brook outpost had 1,000 soldiers. But by mid-March, this number dropped to 500. Many militia soldiers' enlistments had ended.
The remaining troops were from the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. There was also a company from the 4th Continental Artillery. Two other groups came from the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. General Lincoln was worried about his exposed position. He told General Washington that other units couldn't help if they were attacked. He even kept wagons ready in case they needed to leave quickly.
Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis was in charge of the British in New Jersey. He was tired of the constant small attacks. So, he planned a surprise attack on the Bound Brook outpost. According to a Hessian soldier named Captain Johann Ewald, Cornwallis asked him to plan the attack in February. But they had to wait until spring because they needed to cross the Raritan River. On the night of April 12, the plan was finally put into action.
The Battle Begins
General Cornwallis led 4,000 British and Hessian soldiers from New Brunswick. They planned a surprise attack from several directions. One group, on the right, was led by Major General James Grant. It included Hessian light infantry and British grenadiers. This group moved from Raritan Landing. Two companies of light infantry went even further right. Their goal was to cut off the main road from Bound Brook to Morristown.
The middle group was led by Hessian Colonel Carl von Donop. It included Hessian grenadier battalions. The left group was led by Cornwallis himself. It had British light infantry and more dragoons (soldiers on horseback). Donop's group moved along the right bank of the Raritan River. They aimed to take control of the bridge at Bound Brook. Cornwallis took a longer path to cross the river above Bound Brook. This was to block any American escape in that direction.
Captain Ewald and some of his soldiers were at the front of Grant's group. They met American sentries (guards) south of Bound Brook. Ewald didn't know this was supposed to be a fake attack. He pushed the sentries back almost to the main fort where the cannons were. By sunrise, he was almost surrounded.
Luckily, Colonel von Donop's group arrived just across the river. Cornwallis's group also attacked. This made the Americans start leaving the outpost. The surprise attack was almost complete. The Pennsylvania artillery company, who were manning the fort, suffered heavy losses. Many were killed or captured. Colonel von Donop reported that General Lincoln had to retreat quickly. Lincoln's important papers were captured.
The British plan wasn't perfect. Ewald's early fighting gave the Americans a warning. Also, the groups sent to cut off the road to Morristown arrived too late. Because of this, many Americans escaped using that route. The British captured cannons, ammunition, and other supplies. They also looted Bound Brook. But they returned to New Brunswick later that same morning.
What Happened Next
The American army reacted quickly. General Washington sent a large force led by Major General Nathanael Greene to take back Bound Brook. But the British had already left by the time they arrived. Greene sent a group to bother the British rear guard (the soldiers at the back of the retreating army). This group caught up with the British near Raritan Landing. They killed 8 British soldiers and captured 16.
General Howe, the British commander, reported that about 30 Americans were killed. He also said 80 to 90 were captured. General Lincoln, the American commander, reported that 60 of his men were killed or wounded. Howe claimed no British deaths and only seven wounded. Washington reported that the British left the post by 11 AM that day. He said the American losses were "trifling," meaning very small. However, he also reported 35 to 40 killed or captured. He mentioned losing three field cannons. In another report, Washington admitted losing two cannons, two officers, and 20 men. General Greene joked to his wife, "The British Generals breakfasted and I [dined] at the same house that day." This happened at the Van Horne House.
Washington was worried that this attack meant the main fighting season would start early. He was concerned his troops weren't ready for big British movements. Two weeks later, nothing else major happened. The Americans then learned that the British planned to start their main campaign in June.
Washington realized that Bound Brook was hard to defend. On May 26, he removed the soldiers from the outpost. On May 28, he moved part of his army from Morristown. They went to a new camp near Middle Brook. This camp was just north of Bound Brook. It was well protected between the Watchung Mountains. Other troops were placed near Princeton. From the top of the Watchung Mountains, Washington watched British movements. Both sides continued to have small fights. They also gathered information to learn about each other's plans.
On June 12, General Howe marched a large force of over 18,000 soldiers out of New Brunswick. They went through Bound Brook and as far as Somerset. It seemed like Howe was trying to make Washington leave the hills. But Washington knew Howe had left his heavy baggage behind. So, Washington wasn't fooled and refused to move. Howe then suddenly went back to Piscataway on June 19. Washington sent some of his troops to chase them. He also moved his army down from the hills. A week later, Howe tried to trap one of Washington's groups. This would have cut off the American retreat into the hills. But this effort failed in the Battle of Short Hills. After this, Howe put his army on ships. He sailed for Chesapeake Bay, planning to attack Philadelphia from the south.
Gallery
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Van Horne House, headquarters of General Benjamin Lincoln
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Battle plaque in Billian Legion Park
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The battlefield marker in South Bound Brook
