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British land at Gloucester Town on April 5th 1778 with 700 troops.

In the early hours of April 5th 1778, British Lt. Colonel Robert Abercromby crossed the Delaware River with a large force of British soldiers, landing at Gloucester, NJ

Abercromby commanded 400 Light Infantry, 300 Rangers and a party of mounted Light Dragoons.

The British intention was to attack American forces encamped at Haddonfield.

But they were detected by an American cavalry sentry who rode from Gloucester, alerting the Americans, who moved out of Haddonfield avoiding capture.

The British returned to Philadelphia through Cooper’s Pt., where they captured a number of Americans at Cooper's Pt..

British General William Howe reports on Abercromby

British General William Howe reported to Lord Germain in England on the conduct of Lt. Colonel Robert Abercromby and identifies the number and type of troops under Abercromby’s command. 400 Light Infantry, 300 Rangers and Party of Light Dragoons.

To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 6 April 1778

“...The Enemy Giting intellegence of our movement, Detatched 600 Light Infantry Commanded by Col: Abbercrombe, to Gloucester point, there Crosed, By Some means Surround 4 Vedets, one of them Rode his horse through Newtown Creek, Gave the Alarm at half past two Sunday morning. I Immediately Got the men under arms, the Stores and Baggage Loaded, thought it most prudent to move off, haveing Good information of their intentions and Rapid march, I ordered one horseman to Woodberry, another to Coopers ferry, where we had a Guard of 40 men & 2 horsemen, Lieuts. Stout and Hutchin of my Regt, with orders to Collect his Guard and make his Retreat Good over Coopers Creek Bridge, half after three the Enemy Entered the town, we had Lost it about 10 minutes, upon a Signal they Gave three Huzzays, and Immediately Stove open the Doors, wounded Several Inhabitants, Burnt 2 houses (belonging to Quakers) plundered the town, and Returned by way of Coopers ferry.

Mr Sage a Volunteer Horseman, that I Sent to the ferry Returned Just as the Enemy had Entered, he Cut his way througt them 200 yards, then Dismounted and Left for Dead, haveing Receiv’d fourteen Wounds with Bayonets he is yet alive, Major Ellis (of Militia) being officer of the Day, was at the ferry, Lt Stout prudently Got his Guard together and Retired over the Bridge according to Orders, Major Ellis as Imprudently ordered him Back to his post, the Enemy pushed Down Cut of[f] their Retreat, Lt Stout who is a brave officer fought them a Considerable time, untill overpowred by Numbers was forced to Give way, no Retreat Left Some Broke through others Swam Coopers Creek and Got off, the 2 horsemen Got off, Eleven prisoners was Taken among them Major Ellis, Lts Stout & Hutchin Stout Received 2 wound, before he Surrendered, two of my Regt was found Dead on the Ground, one of them Bayoneted, Some were kiled in the Creek, Several are yet missing, this Guard were part Militia, the Enemy Immediately Crossed the River to the City, three Deserters Came in, who Informs me their arms were not Loaded But their Orders was to Give no Quarters, and to plunder the town for Incouragement, these orders was Red to them by their Col. before they Crossed, Our men being much fateagued for two Days with marching and Loss of Sleep, I thought Best to Retire to this place, Leaving 50 men below, to move from place to place And stot the Tory trade. …”

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0396

“To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 6 April 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0396. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 14, 1 March 1778 – 30 April 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2004, pp. 413–416.]

Sir Robert Abercromby

Later known as Sir Robert Abercromby, he would be promoted to full General of the Army, Knight of the Order of the Bath, Governor of Bombay, Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army and Commander-in-Chief, India and serve as a member of Parliament.

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