Victory Missed - How the Battle of Punk Hill Almost Changed History
The Battle of Punk Hill was a minor skirmish in the Revolutionary War, but could have had a major impact on the outcome had the Patriots just pushed a little father.
The Forage War
After the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, both the Continental and British Armies went into winter quarters.
During this time, January through March of 1777, a quasi-war broke out.
Known as the Forage War, the enemies fought a series of skirmishes throughout New Jersey while searching for food and supplies in the countryside.
The Battle of Punk Hill was one of these skirmishes.
Spotting the Enemy
On March 8, Brigadier General William Maxwell spotted a large group of Redcoats.
Maxwell sent one detachment to the British’s left as a distraction.
He sent a much larger group to sneak around the enemy’s right in an attempt to get around them and attack Bonhamtown, a known British camp.
The Battle of Punk Hill
The second outfit quickly ran into a group of enemy reinforcements.
More Patriots showed up, then more Redcoats arrived.
In the confusion, the British began a hasty retreat.
The Americans gave chase, but gave up outside Bonhamtown turned back.
What Could Have Been
The casualties from this engagement seem to be fairly low.
One of the few prisoners taken by the Patriots gave Maxwell some surprising news...General Howe, Commander-in-Chief of Britain’s North American forces, was in Bonhamtown.
Had the Continentals pushed forward and attacked Bonhamtown, it may have been one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War.
In fact, had they succeeded and captured Howe, the American Revolution may have ended four and a half years earlier.
Do you want to learn about other Battle of the Revolution?
Great! Try one of these stories:
The First Battle AFTER Yorktown - Marinus Willett’s Pursuit
John Langdon and the First Battle of the American Revolution
William Moultrie Inspires South Carolina’s State Motto…And it’s State Flag
Shockingly, there is not a book dedicated just to the Forage War.
The best recommendation I have, if you want to learn more, is ‘The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New Jersey.’
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same) .
