Four thousand British and Hessian troops under the overall command of Cornwallis march from New Brunswick to make a multi-pronged surprise attack.

The right flank, under the command of Major General James Grant, consists of the Hessian jäger corps, grenadiers from the English Brigade of Guards, and a detachment of British light dragoons.

While most of this column advances from Raritan Landing (opposite New Brunswick on the left, or Bound Brook side, of the river), two companies of light infantry go further right, aiming to cut off the main road from Bound Brook to the Continental Army camp at Morristown.

The center, under the command of Hessian Colonel Carl von Donop, consists of the Hessian grenadier battalions von Linsing and Minnigerode, and the left, commanded by Cornwallis, consists of two battalions of British light infantry, the 1st battalion of grenadiers, and another detachment of light dragoons.

Donop's column advances up the right bank of the Raritan, aiming to gain control of the bridge directly at Bound Brook, while Cornwallis takes a longer route to ford the river above Bound Brook and thus cut off the possibility of retreat in that direction.