After occupying New Brunswick and Perth Amboy for more than six months, British and Hessian forces under General William Howe tried to draw General George Washington and the Continental Army out of their encampment in the Watchung Mountains. Before daybreak on June 26, 1777, two parallel British columns moved west from Perth Amboy. One column under General John Vaughn and General Howe turned down this road and met the picket line of American General John Sullivan. After a brief but heated engagement, the Americans withdrew before superior enemy numbers. This was the westernmost action of the Battle of Short Hills. Howe's troops then rejoined the other British column, commanded by General Charles Lord Cornwallis. The combined force later fought the American division of General William Alexander, known as Lord Stirling, near what is now Plainfield Country Club. After the Battle of Short Hills, the British returned to Perth Amboy and had abandoned their occupation of New Jersey by the beginning of July 1777.