1777
Near Metuchen, British Brigadier General Sir William Erskine set a trap for Patriot forces by sending a small foraging party to Drake’s Farm. When American troops from the 5th Virginia regiment attacked the foragers, Erskine unleashed a much larger force supported by artillery. Despite being ambushed, the Virginian troops, led by Colonel Charles Scott, launched a counter-attack that momentarily broke a British grenadier battalion. The Americans eventually withdrew after suffering roughly 30–40 casualties, but not before inflicting significant losses on the British. The battle was marked by a brutal incident where seven wounded Americans, including Lieutenant William Kelly, were slaughtered by British soldiers using bayonets and musket butts after being left behind during the retreat. This event deeply infuriated the Patriot forces and fueled regional animosity toward the British.
1781
The Battle of Cowan’s Ford took place in North Carolina. British forces under Lord Cornwallis crossed the Catawba River, defeating American militia led by General William Davidson, who was killed during the engagement.