John Schenck and the Ambush of Geary
John Schenck was a Captain of a New Jersey Militia unit who led an ambush which had large repercussions in the early days of the Revolutionary War.
Published 12/5/19 - Updated 10/17/21
John Schenck
When news of the Battle of Lexington and Concord reached New Jersey, 25-year-old John Schenck signed up to fight.
Schenck was chosen as Captain and led a company styled the 3rd Regiment of Hunterdon Militia.
John would lead his men through the duration of the Revolutionary War.
The Ambush of Geary
On December 14, 1776, Captain Schenck was on leave and returned home.
He was informed that the British had been scouting the area and he jumped into action.
John hastily assembled a group of friends and family to attack the Redcoats. He set up in the woods and ambushed the enemy when the were unprepared, killing their leader, Cornet Francis Geary.
Aftermath
Considering the small scale of this fight, the Ambush of Geary had large effects.
The British became more selective in their scouting, which opened the door for George Washington to cross the Delaware unimpeded.
The famous attacks on Trenton and Princeton occurred shortly thereafter.
Sleeping in the Woods
Schenck went on to participate in most of the fighting in New Jersey and Philadelphia.
According to an article published in the Monmouth Inquirer in 1898, John became a wanted man throughout the war.
His home was frequently raided by the British, to the point where he regularly kept friends on guard during the night or, if no one was available, he would sleep out in the woods so as not to be found.
I have written about several underappreciated BATTLES of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Daniel Morgan Prevails in the Battle of Cowpens
John Langdon and the First Battle of the American Revolution
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