battle short hills known names conflict continental_army force commanded lord opposing british force commanded lieutenant general battle took place june new_jersey american revolutionary war despite fighting occurred modern day section mid june general howe marched army central new_jersey attempt lure george_washington continental_army place better attacked defensive position washington refused abandon position howe returned june washington forward divisions including lord british movement washington moved main army hills howe seized opportunity june marched columns troops attempt cut washington high ground troops lord troops eventually engaged pitched battle outnumbered force retreated washington alerted british movement retreated hills background march british forces lieutenant general withdrew boston fortified high ground threatening city harbor army augmented reinforcements europe general howe captured new_york_city forcing washington retreat way new_jersey end washington crossed surprised german troops new_jersey eventually regained control state armies settled winter quarters engaged war skirmishes winter months general howe spent winter planning campaign capture seat rebel constant winter taken toll troops stationed new_jersey major attack continental_army outpost bound brook april entirely successful howe apparently plans intended route philadelphia people know intentions philadelphia target suspected howe interested washington moved army winter quarters near strong position observe interfere british moves philadelphia historians mention battle occasionally called battle took place primarily present day new_jersey historians battle names calls flat hills meeting house british regimental history refers prelude june howe began moving troops june entire army moved roads new_brunswick washington intelligence reports indicated howe left equipment needed crossing unlikely heading philadelphia washington measure called militia southern new_jersey june howe army marched destination house present day apparently seeking draw washington battle open terrain howe remained days washington refused hills june howe began march reached june having completely evacuated new_brunswick refusing fall howe trap washington followed retreating british bringing army sent strong forward detachment brigadier general aka lord plains area north new_brunswick cover left flank harass british command numbering comprised new_jersey brigade pennsylvania brigade brigade consisted 1st conway consisted 3rd 6th 9th 12th pennsylvania named principal german mercenary named baron commanded french soldier fortune given command abruptly left army howe took advantage washington movement launched sudden attack lord position meant forces cut washington retreat engage americans pitched battle relatively open terrain morning june howe marched columns troops column command lieutenant general consisted companies battalions british mounted british 16th light battalion loyalist provincial unit second column command major general accompanied consisted companies battalions british light infantry battle column general marched marched columns moved roughly parallel paths area came contact guards running skirmish began americans firing british fell retreating americans lead armies areas prepared defensive position severe cannon fire strength british numbers forced determined stand retreat british suffering extreme heat day ended pursuit able fall good order post messenger alerted washington howe proximity prompting washington withdraw secure position hills later day howe arrived inspect washington lines strong attack resistance provided washington time manage withdrawal secure ground battle considered strategic victory americans british spending night returned post completely evacuated new_jersey june mid july howe embarked army transports sailed philadelphia destination unknown washington local tale arose encounter general aunt betty local resident bread americans arrived requested bread offered saying love fear declined offer responding man command shall touch single casualties british officer recorded british casualties killed wounded officer casualty captain honourable guards light infantry forefront attack point called lord come damned rebel response concentrate fire captain soon received wound died days later american casualties fully known british claimed americans suffered killed wounded sides acknowledged american loss cannons capture men formed advance guard appear hardest hit men killed captured colonel commander 2nd wrote july brigade killed wounded taken prisoners noted journal wounded slightly officers recorded having lost 2nd new_jersey captain killed captain captured legacy area battlefield encompassing acres listed national_register_of_historic_places area includes portions municipal land site battle
Battle of Short Hills