Militia, were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed, who had fought in the American Revolution. During the advance inland, guides, who may have been victims of impressment, misled the British column, allowing the Americans, who numbered about 200, to be better prepared for the British assault. Parker's force encountered American skirmishers who were concealed behind the trees. The American skirmishers opened heavy fire from behind their trees. Then the American skirmishers quickly retreated to the main American line. The retreating skirmishers led the British towards American line, which included multiple cannons. The American militia were divided on the flanks, some of their riflemen placed in the woods, and their cavalry placed in the rear. The battle took place at night, and the light of a full moon exposed the British soldiers during their advance, allowing the Americans to open heavy accurate fire with their cannons, muskets, and rifles thus inflicting several casualties. The Americans held the high ground, giving the defenders an advantage. British Lieutenant Henry Crease reported that one portion of the British attacking force was briefly able to gain a foothold in the main American position on the high ground, at one point taking one of the American cannons. The Americans cautiously retreated towards near the woods before halting to make another stand opening fire. The Americans eventually began to run out of ammunition and retreated to regroup and redistribute ammunition. But Parker was then wounded in the thigh and bled to death. The British fell back after Parker's death. American casualties totaled three wounded. British casualties are reported at 41. Later life After the War, Reed was elected to the House of Representatives in the Fifteenth Congress, serving from March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1819. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1818 to the Sixteenth Congress, but successfully contested the election of Jeremiah Cosden to the House in the Seventeenth Congress and served the remainder of the term from March 19, 1822, to March 3, 1823. In 1828, he served as vice president of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati. He died in Huntingtown, Maryland, and is interred in the cemetery of Christ Church near Chestertown. See also Titles of Nobility Amendment References External links 1902 Gravestone Dedication Philip Reed – Delmarva Heritage Series 1760 births 1829 deaths Continental Army soldiers Members of the Maryland House of Delegates United States senators from Maryland People