ambush ambush skirmish american revolutionary war fought december near new_jersey leader company shot ambush set local british forces captured new_york_city new_york new_jersey campaign established outposts central new_jersey son admiral sir operating station killed ambush body concealed later buried shallow grave preventing recovery british troops 19th century local historical interest led confirmation grave location establishment markers site england making casualty number militia actions resulted reduced scope british reconnaissance contributing eventual success george_washington crossing delaware success background general successfully drove george_washington continental_army new_york_city fall washington retreated new_jersey pursued general washington retreated way early december british began arranging winter quarters new_jersey establishing chain outposts british allies regularly sent reconnaissance foraging parties vulnerable attack local patriot militia companies area outpost commanded populated primarily particularly vulnerable militia raids detachment 16th queen light posted far away north area atrocities reported early december including claims rape girls pregnant women groups british german soldiers reports contributed increase patriot militia activity area north eldest son heir admiral sir born raised surrey educated oxford purchasing 16th light sent north_america arriving new_york end september october november unit mainly occupied northern new_jersey met little organized resistance december company ordered camp december seven members 16th sent north reconnaissance mission ambush detailed source action deposition attached application military pension cousin captain leader patriot militia detailed british accounts appear exist according account party rode verify supply salt beef pork ready army pick received intelligence movement previous day learned set morning gathering men number according set ambush wooded area miles south company rode militia fired volley musket fire killing brief description non participating british officer reporting event indicated alerted impending fire unable escape volley returned fire driven continuing militia fire aftermath appropriated portions uniform including sword silver plate cap inscribed british troops sent meet supplies questioned local inhabitants searched area find body concealed buried shallow grave day general capacity colonel 16th wrote admiral seldom felt pain acute communicating news america personally regards afraid authority good son met soldier fate experienced describes resign object near heart poor best trial unfit comfort time reflection relieve wish add tears corps private son parent assurance respect bear memory ambush similar militia attacks resulted british troops reducing range scouting danger going miles significant crucial americans began boats prior washington crossing delaware culminated december troops stationed miles river staging area crossing legacy traditions claim belongings hidden prevent discovery british troops coat said hidden pile wheat floor boots hidden oven said red thread ornamental purposes sword melted stiff leather hat farmer dip feed horses local residents unaware buried accounts persisted british recovered body body site suspected contain body found grave skeleton silver buttons labeled signifying queen light family placed grave marker site surrey contains relief depicting incident
Ambush of Geary