In 1776, Samuel Miles marched 150 of his men to the Delaware River to view the river battle between American row galleys and the British ships (Roebuck and her companion). He was also ordered to send some men to suppress insurrections in Sussex County, Delaware and Monmouth County, New Jersey. All his men were ordered to Amboy (Perth Amboy, NJ) to form the 'Flying Camp'. However since he and other Pennsylvania units had no vote in the election of General Daniel Roberdeau, they refused to serve under his command and were not part of the Flying Camp.

Samuel Miles provides a detailed explanation of his actions on the day of Aug. 27, 1776 with respect to the British Army movements.

Samuel Miles continues his detailed explanation of his actions on Aug. 27, 1776 that ultimately lead to his capture. Samuel Miles was a British prisoner for 21 months until he was exchanged in April 1778. While he was appointed Brigadier General by the Pennsylvania Council of Safety in Dec. 1776 he was not able to accept this rank given the conditions of his release. So Samuel Miles retired to his farm but in 1779 was nominated and approved to be the Deputy Quartermaster of the State of Pennsylvania for which he served until 1782 after which he retired again. However in 1783 he was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Errors & Appeals, and in 1784 he was elected as a member of the Council of Censors for the city of Philadelphia.