The pine barrens created densely forested terrain where concealment of guerrilla and criminal activities could easily be carried out.

While the Loyalists, who had received their land from the Crown, were amiable neighbors during the day and enemies of the Patriots by night, the pine robbers were disgruntled sailors who had jumped ship.

They banded together with local outlaws to burn and plaunder throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

In December 1782, Bacon and his gang, the "Refugees" were involved in the Battle of Cedar Bridge, where a surprise attack by Captain Edward Thomas of the Mansfield Militia and Captain Richard Shreeve of the Burlington County Light Horse forced Bacon to quickly build a makeshift barricade at Cedar Bridge.

On April 3, 1783, John Bacon was surrounded by the Patriot militia from Burlington, New Jersey, while drinking in a local tavern.