Combat· American Revolutionary War
Battle of Princeton
On January 3, 1777, Continental Marines and Philadelphia militiamen took part in George Washington's attack on the British at Princeton, New Jersey.
After a night march from Trenton, the army met a British brigade of 700 under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood: the 17th and 55th Regiments of Foot and one troop of the 16th Dragoons. A British bayonet charge overpowered General Mercer's brigade and mortally wounded Mercer. General Cadwalader then formed his column, with Major Samuel Nicholas' Marines and Matlack's riflemen on the right. British volleys at 50 yards drove his troops back 40 yards, and they abandoned one artillery piece. Reinforcements from Sullivan's division resolved the situation, and under a renewed attack the British line gave way and the 17th was forced to retreat. Among the American officers killed was Captain William Shippin, a Pennsylvania State Marine officer leading the Marine guard of the Hancock. The army marched to Morristown on January 6, and on February 1 the three companies of Continental Marines were transferred to the artillery.
Record no. 71