Raid on Elizabethtown and Newark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raid on Elizabethtown and Newark
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date January 25, 1780 Location Elizabethtown and Newark, New Jersey Result British tactical victory Strategically unimportant
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Col. Abraham van Buskirk Capt. William Steward
Strength
Unknown	At least 400 infantry 60 light dragoons More than 40 loyalist militia
Casualties and losses
approx. 67 captured.	2 killed, 3 captured

On the cold night of January 25, 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, British soldiers launched surprise attacks. They raided two towns in New Jersey at the same time: Elizabethtown and Newark. These raids were quick and aimed at American forces.

The Attack on Elizabethtown

A British officer named Colonel Abraham van Buskirk led the attack on Elizabethtown. He had about 300 foot soldiers and 60 light dragoons. Dragoons were soldiers who rode horses but fought on foot. Captain William Steward led these horsemen.

They also had over 40 Loyalist militia members with them. Loyalists were American colonists who supported the British king. Three local men helped guide them into the town.

The British forces crossed the ice from Staten Island to Trembly's Point. This was about three miles from Elizabethtown. They entered the town in two groups. They searched some homes and captured the American commander. They also took two or three other officers and 47 American soldiers.

The Loyalist militia set fire to the Presbyterian church and the court house. Colonel van Buskirk did not want them to do this. By then, people in the town knew about the attack. The British left quickly, burning a house on their way out. This house was often used by American soldiers.

The Raid on Newark

Another group of British soldiers crossed the frozen North River (now called the Hudson River). They traveled on sleighs to Newark. They entered Newark in three groups.

At the Newark Academy, they captured 15 men. One American lieutenant managed to escape. The British then set the academy building on fire. They also took things from a few homes. They captured Justice Joseph Hedden and Robert Neil, Jr.

Justice Hedden was a local official. He was wearing only a shirt and stockings. The British would not let him get fully dressed, even though it was very cold. His wife tried to help him, but she was hurt. Justice Hedden later suffered from severe frostbite. The whole attack on Newark took less than 20 minutes.

Local American militia chased the British. They captured five British soldiers. Sadly, two of these soldiers died from the extreme cold.

A British report later said that capturing Hedden was not planned. A Loyalist named Walker, who had problems with Hedden before, was responsible. When British officers found out Hedden had not been allowed to dress, they gave him some clothes.

Robert Neil was a "sub-deputy quarter-master." This meant he helped get supplies for the American army. He often took crops and firewood from properties of people known as Tories. Tories were colonists who supported the British. He would then give these supplies to the American army.

What Happened Next

These raids had almost no long-term effect on the war. Their main goals were to bother the American soldiers in these towns. They also allowed some people to carry out personal disagreements.