Battle of Bound Brook

British forces under Cornwallis launched a surprise attack on the American outpost at Bound Brook, New Jersey in April 1777. General Benjamin Lincoln, commanding the post with about 500 men, was caught off guard by a sudden British descent from multiple directions before dawn.

The British moved in four columns simultaneously, attempting to cut off the garrison entirely. Lincoln managed to escape with most of his men but was forced to abandon two cannon and considerable supplies. The British briefly occupied the town, destroyed the American fortifications, and withdrew before Washington could bring up reinforcements. About 70 Americans were captured in the confusion.

The raid demonstrated the vulnerability of American outposts to sudden British strikes, but had limited strategic effect. Both sides spent the spring of 1777 in a defensive posture as Howe planned his next major campaign — the seizure of Philadelphia. The Bound Brook raid was part of a series of British probing operations intended to gather intelligence and keep the Americans off balance while preparations for the main campaign were completed.