Battle of Quinton's Bridge

British forces under Colonel Mawhood conducted a foraging expedition into Salem County, New Jersey in March 1778, seeking to gather food and supplies for the Philadelphia garrison. The expedition encountered American militia under Colonel Hancock at Quinton's Bridge over Alloway Creek.

Mawhood employed a clever deception: he sent a small British force to engage the militia while concealing his main force. When the militia crossed the bridge in pursuit, the hidden British troops emerged and cut them off. The trapped militia suffered significant casualties before being able to withdraw.

The engagement was part of the pattern of British foraging operations that kept pressure on New Jersey civilians throughout the occupation of Philadelphia. The British gathered their supplies and returned to the city, but operations like this constantly harassed the local population and reinforced Patriot determination to resist British occupation.