battle iron works hill known series minor skirmishes took place december american war independence took place new_jersey american force composed colonial militia colonel force british regulars american force eventually forced positions larger force action prevented von assigned base new_jersey position assist brigade new_jersey attacked defeated george_washington troops crossed delaware night december background july forces great_britain command general landed months howe forces british_army regulars auxiliary german troops usually referred chased george_washington continental_army new_york_city new_jersey washington army size poor morale took refuge pennsylvania western shore november removing available deny british opportunity cross wide river general howe established chain outposts new_jersey ordered troops winter quarters southernmost outposts located outpost manned men brigade command outpost manned british 42nd regiment contingents troops command colonel large house von force hoped quarter troops south strong loyalist support floating gun batteries threatened town expose loyalist allies fire forced troops surrounding countryside troops von occupied outposts exposed actions rebel raids actions patriot militia forces arose spontaneously recruited army regulars actions nerves troops uncertainty attacks place size force men commanders edge leading jump investigate rumored movement went far order men sleep fully dressed like watch militia force rose december company command virginia colonel griffin adjutant general responsible defense philadelphia griffin force exact composition uncertain probably included virginia pennsylvania infantry new_jersey militia numbered mid december reached miles southwest december griffin advanced established rough fortification atop hill near iron works south village center sent loyalist investigate reported force nearly half boys militia pennsylvania commanded contingent 42nd positioned seven miles north present day columbus heard rumors rebels rear support asked advice replied sir troops come attack confident match battle december griffin troops overwhelmed guard outpost 42nd located mile south bridge evening december washington adjutant went mount holly met griffin griffin written reed requesting small field pieces assist actions reed discussing planned attack men washington wanted griffin company participate sort attack griffin ill men poorly equipped significant action apparently agreed sort actions day morning december von brought troops 42nd british highland regiment battalions bridge overwhelmed griffin men griffin troops retreated von reported scattering men near town meeting house captain reported men posted hill near church retired quickly rounds artillery fired griffin troops occupied slowly retreated fortified position hill following sides engaged long range fire aftermath forces night december according plundered town breaking alcohol stores abandoned houses getting drunk took quarters house described belonging beautiful widow doctor identity uncertain day december moved force drive militia hill griffin men retreated night reason von contingents remained miles day march messenger arrived december bringing news defeat washington morning news skirmishes exaggerated published accounts day varied including participants battle claimed sixteen enemy killed new_jersey reported seven enemy killed specifically denied british german casualties occurred skirmish december reported enemy casualties killed seven wounded militia action reporters including assumed griffin specifically sent draw von away von decision attack force apparently prior reed arrival reed noted journal sic perfectly accidental happy effect drew count planning washington crossing delaware include sending militia force griffin attack von mount holly company failed cross river legacy hill griffin militia occupied located battle annually
Battle of Iron Works Hill