Battle of Iron Works Hill

Battle of Iron Works Hill
Part of the American Revolutionary War

Map, c. 1806, showing towns most relevant to the Battle: Bordentown, Moorestown and Mount Holly, NJ.
DateDecember 22–23, 1776
Location39°59′42″N 74°47′13″W / 39.99500°N 74.78694°W / 39.99500; -74.78694
Result See aftermath
Belligerents
 United States  Great Britain
Hesse Hesse-Kassel
Commanders and leaders
United States Samuel Griffin Hesse Carl von Donop
Strength
500–600 militia[1][2] 2,000 British and Hessian troops[3]
Casualties and losses
Minor (see Aftermath)[4] Minor (see Aftermath)[4]
Battle of Iron Works Hill is located in New Jersey
Battle of Iron Works Hill
Location within New Jersey

The Battle of Iron Works Hill, also known as the Battle of Mount Holly, was a series of minor skirmishes that took place on December 22 and 23, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. The fighting took place in Mount Holly, New Jersey, between an American force mostly composed of colonial militia under Colonel Samuel Griffin and a force of 2,000 Hessians and British regulars under Carl von Donop.

While the American force of 600 was eventually forced from their positions by the larger Hessian force, the action prevented von Donop from being in his assigned base at Bordentown, New Jersey, and in a position to assist Johann Rall's brigade in Trenton, New Jersey, when it was attacked and defeated by George Washington after his troops crossed the Delaware on the night of December 25–26, 1776.[5][6]

  1. ^ Fischer 2004, p. 198.
  2. ^ Dwyer 1983, p. 211.
  3. ^ Dwyer 1983, p. 151.
  4. ^ a b Dwyer 1983, p. 216.
  5. ^ Rosenfeld 2006, p. 177.
  6. ^ Di Ionno 2000, p. 29.