Headless Soldier of Cooches Bridge - Newark, Delaware

During the Revolutionary War, British and Hessian troops were advancing on Philadelphia.  Brigadier General William Maxwell led a small force on a mission to delay the British advance so that Washington could evacuate Philadelphia.  One of those soldiers still marches on the road to Philadelphia to this day.

Cooches Bridge near Newark, Delware long ago

On September 3, 1777 American forces met up with advancing British forces on Old Cooches Bridge Road in what some refer to today as The Battle of Cooches Bridge or The Battle of Iron Hill.  After several skirmishes, the Colonial forces pulled back to Cooches Bridge where another skirmish ensued.  During the battle, fighting was fierce.  It is said that one British soldier killed on the bridge, literally had his head blown off.  Subsequently, the American forces were overrun and the British forces eventually captured Philadelphia.  However, General Washington was able to pull out of the city before hand.