A reward of 50 pounds for Bacon's capture was offered by the governor of New Jersey, William Livingston.

A Patriot Militia under the command of Richard Shreve and Edward Thomas set out to hunt down Bacon in December 1782 and after several days of an unsuccessful search decided to head back to Burlington, New Jersey.

On route back to Burlington, the Patriots decided to stop at the tavern near the bridge, unaware that Bacon and his men were on the other side.

A group of locals heard the shots and came to the aid of the Loyalists, giving Bacon and his men time to escape.

[3][4][5] Bacon was discovered at a tavern in Tuckerton, New Jersey, a few months after the engagement and was captured and killed.