Overview
While General George Washington and the Continental Army remained at Valley Forge, both American and British forces searched New Jersey for food, horses, and other supplies. After Washington sent General Anthony Wayne out to gather provisions for the army, General William Howe responded by sending his own foraging parties out to find food and supplies and to harass Wayne.
In the area north of Philadelphia, between Valley Forge and the city, the Pennsylvania Militia was assigned to patrol the region, engage the British foraging parties, and to seize food and supplies from farmers who were trying to sell food and goods in the city’s markets.
In late January 1778, General John Lacey took command of these forces. Lacey spent most of the next three months struggling to keep his command together, while clashing with British raiding parties and stopping farmers and others from selling their goods to the British.
Despite his struggles, he was able to hold his own, which caught the attention of Major John Graves Simcoe. Annoyed with the presence of Lacey’s militia, Simcoe proposed a plan to his superior officers to attack the Americans and eliminate them. The plan was approved, and Simcoe’s expedition marched from Philadelphia toward Lacey’s camp at Crooked Billet on March 30.
That night, Lacey issued orders to his men to be ready for an attack at any moment, and organized patrols that were supposed to be out scouting the roads by 2:00 a.m. the next morning. Unfortunately, some of the officers who were in charge of these patrols slept in and failed to move out at the expected time.
Meanwhile, Simcoe’s forces advanced on Crooked Billet from several directions. By the time the American patrols were on the road, the British were less than two miles from the camp. When one of the patrols stumbled into British cavalry, the fight started. British forces rushed the camp, catching Lacey and his men entirely by surprise.
Lacey responded quickly, organized his men, and fled toward some nearby woods. A running firefight ensued. Although Lacey was forced to abandon his wagons filled with valuable food and supplies, he was able to keep the British from overwhelming his forces. This allowed him to circle back to Crooked Billet in hopes of launching a counterattack.
By the time Lacey arrived, the British were gone. He found many of the men who had been wounded in the initial attack had been killed with bayonets. Others had been set on fire by the British, while some had been thrown into a large bonfire.
Afterward, many of the men from the Pennsylvania Militia returned home, and the Continental Army took over patrolling the region.
Essential Facts
- Also Known As: Battle of the Billet, Engagement at Crooked Billet, Action at Crooked Billet.
- Date: April 1, 1778.
- Location: Crooked Billet Tavern in present-day Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
- Participants: United States of America and Great Britain.
- Key American Leaders: John Lacey.
- Key British Leaders: John Graves Simcoe, Robert Abercromby.
- Who Won: Britain won the Battle of Crooked Billet.
- Part of: Philadelphia Campaign, American Revolutionary War.
Significance
The Battle of Crooked Billet is important to American History because the outcome reduced the involvement of the Pennsylvania Militia for the remainder of the American Revolutionary War.
History
Following the Siege of Boston, British forces evacuated the city and moved northward toward Canada. General George Washington fully expected the British, who were led by General William Howe, to set their sights on invading New York and seizing control of New York City. To prepare for this, Washington moved his army to New York City and the surrounding area, including Long Island.
In July and August of 1776, British forces arrived at Staten Island, including a large naval force under the command of Admiral Richard Howe. Then, on August 27, they invaded Long Island and easily pushed Washington’s Army into Brooklyn Heights. Although Washington’s Army was able to escape to Manhattan Island, it was eventually pushed northward to White Plains and then into New Jersey. While British forces occupied New York City, General Charles Cornwallis pursued Washington, who retreated across New Jersey, over the Delaware River, and into Pennsylvania.
By December 1776, the American war effort was in shambles. Despite Washington’s pleas for help to the members of Congress and various colonial Governors, he received very little support. Finally, reinforcements arrived in late December, giving Washington enough men to carry out bold attacks on Trenton and Princeton, which shocked the British and pushed them back toward New York City.
Washington’s Army remained at Morristown, New Jersey, for the remainder of the Winter of 1776–1777. During this time, American and British forces engaged in nearly 60 skirmishes as they fought for food and supplies.
Meanwhile, Howe and British officials made plans for the 1777 campaign. Two large expeditions were approved — one led by Howe and the other by General John Burgoyne.
- Howe was tasked with capturing Philadelphia, the American capital.
- Burgoyne was tasked with capturing Albany to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies.
Howe’s forces landed at Head of Elk, Maryland, on August 25. Washington responded to this by marching southward to put his army between Howe and Philadelphia. This led to several small battles and a larger engagement at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11. The Americans were defeated and forced to retreat, which allowed Howe to capture Philadelphia on September 26.
Although fighting continued through October and November, the British eventually took control of the Delaware River. Despite this, American forces continued to harass the British, engaging them on December 7 at Whitemarsh and again on December 11 at Matson’s Ford and Black Horse Tavern.
Following the engagements on December 11, Washington tried to cross the Schuylkill River at Matson’s Ford through the use of a temporary bridge that was made out of wooden rails and nearly 40 wagons. The crossing was interrupted when a 3,500-strong British force under General Cornwallis appeared on the opposite hill while the Americans were in the middle of crossing. Washington ordered his men to retreat, destroyed the bridge, and returned his forces to Whitemarsh.
Afterward, Washington decided that his army was in no condition to continue the campaign. After convincing a delegation from Congress that he needed to find a place for his army to spend the winter, he met with his officers, who suggested various locations around Philadelphia. At first, the plan was to take the army to Wilmington, Delaware, but Pennsylvania leaders objected, arguing that the army needed to continue operations in hopes of freeing Philadelphia from British control.
Washington countered by explaining the poor condition of his troops and pointed out that Pennsylvania had provided very little in terms of food and supplies to aid the war effort. Finally, it was decided that Washington’s Army would spend the winter at Valley Forge, roughly 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
During the winter, supply chain breakdowns led to shortages of food, clothing, and supplies at Valley Forge. By spring, some of the troops were on the verge of mutiny, and Washington decided to take action.
Quinton’s Bridge and Hancock’s Bridge
Washington sent General Anthony Wayne into New Jersey to gather food and horses for the men who were suffering at Valley Forge. General Howe responded by sending out his own foraging parties, both to stop Wayne’s efforts and to collect supplies for his troops.
One of these expeditions was led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood, who was joined by Major John Graves Simcoe. They were tasked with foraging near Salem, New Jersey, and engaging American forces guarding the river crossings over Alloway Creek. Mawhood started his foraging expedition on March 18, 1778. To protect the foragers, he carried out attacks on the New Jersey Militia guarding Quinton’s Bridge and Hancock’s Bridge.
On March 18, Mawhood set up an ambush around Quinton’s Bridge and then sent a small force toward the bridge. When the Americans saw them, they fired and pushed the British back. The Americans responded by crossing the bridge and pursuing the British, whom they thought were retreating. The reality was that the British were drawing the Americans into a trap.
- When the Americans were far enough from the bridge, the British emerged from several hiding places and attacked.
- The Americans fled, but found the path over the bridge was blocked. Many of them tried to swim across Alloway Creek to safety, but a good number drowned.
- The Americans were saved by the arrival of Colonel Elijah Hand, who stopped the British attack.
- Mawhood decided the American position was too strong to attack, so he withdrew and returned to Salem.
Three days later, on March 21, Mawhood sent Simcoe to attack the New Jersey Militia who were in the small village around Hancock’s Bridge. Mawhood’s intelligence indicated there were at least 400 militiamen there; however, all but 20 to 30 left the village on March 20 and moved to another location.
- Simcoe and his men carried out a bayonet attack.
- The Americans were sleeping when the attack started and were taken by surprise.
- Simcoe’s men killed nearly everyone they encountered in the village, including some Loyalists.
AHC Note
- In the aftermath of both battles, Simcoe and his men were accused of carrying out massacres due to the brutal nature of the attacks and rumors that they offered “no quarter,” meaning his men were to ignore any Americans who offered to surrender.
- This reputation for brutality contributed to more accusations that his men were guilty of committing a massacre after the Battle of Crooked Billet.
Pennsylvania Farmers Supply the British
Over the winter of 1777–1778, farmers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey were found selling flour and other supplies to the British Army in Philadelphia. To end this trade, units from the Pennsylvania Militia, under the command of General James Potter, were posted in the area north of the city, between the Schuylkill River and the Delaware River. However, command of the unit transitioned to Brigadier General John Lacey on January 9, 1778, when Potter took a leave of absence to visit his family.
- Lacey was a Quaker who decided to set aside his religious principles and join the American war effort.
- In January 1776, he received a commission as a Captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Army, which was led by General Anthony Wayne. Lacey resigned in January 1776.
- In March 1777, he received a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Bucks County Militia, commanding the 4th Battalion.
- Lacey commanded Pennsylvania Militia forces during the Battle of Germantown (October 4, 1777).
AHC Notes
- At first, there were around 450 men under Lacey’s command.
- The number of men slowly dwindled due to expiring enlistments and illness.
- By the end of April, there were approximately 60 men left.
Lacey’s Operations
Starting in January, Lacey sent General Washington a series of letters, keeping the Commander-in-Chief updated on his progress.
Around the end of the month, British foraging expeditions started conducting raids in the area north of Philadelphia, which Lacey was responsible for defending. These expeditions were conducted by Loyalist groups, including Queen’s Rangers (led by Simcoe, the Royal Pennsylvania Militia (led by Richard Hoveden and Jacob James, and the Bucks County Volunteers (led by Evan Thomas and Owen Roberts).
January 21
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- Dozens of the Inhabitants of Germantown and the Neighbourhood are applying, to Carry Flour Beef &c. to that Quarter…
- The Enemy comes out every Day four or five Miles Distance, but soon Returns again…
January 22
Lacey issued his first orders to his men from “Camp Graham Park,” which was located at present-day Graeme Park, Pennsylvania.
- Lacey had 70 men at Graeme Park, 80 at Smithfield (present-day Somerton), and others who were stationed at various places along the road to Reading, Pennsylvania.
- Lacey’s men were in the process of building huts at Graeme Park when he arrived.
January 24
Lacey wrote to Thomas Wharton Jr., President of the Pennsylvania Council, and told him that the enlistments for most of his 450 men were set to expire on February 1.
January 25
Lacey decided the camp at Graeme Park was a poor defensive position and decided to relocate. He moved to a farm in Bucks County on the Easton Road, which he called “Prospect Hill.” He stayed there briefly before moving to a location along the banks of Neshaminy Creek.
January 26
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- My numbers are reduced so low, that I thought it most prudent to move my Camp a few miles back into the country, till I received a fresh supply of men.
- I have taken every measure in my power to stop the intercourse between the country and city. No person has yet fallen into my hands, against whom sufficient proof can be had. The intercourse is chiefly carried on by women.
- The enemy’s Horse were as far as Germantown this day. They have advanced their sentries to the 3d mile stone, on the Germantown road.
February 10
Lacey told Washington he only had 150 men fit for duty.
February 11
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- I must again trouble you with an account of my Inability, on account of my Numbers which is Redused to between Sixty and a hundred, I have informed the Presidend of the State of my Situation, but have not Yet Recd any Relief, or answer
- John Dennis of Bucks County was taken up on his way from Philadelphia and is Now Confined in my Camp, it appears from information that he has been traiding, but no proof can be maid but I believe Sufficient proof Can be had…
February 15
Lacey received reinforcements.
- Colonel Arthur Buchanan and his men from the Cumberland County Militia.
- Colonel William Ross and his men from the York County Militia.
February 18
Hoveden and Thomas led a British raid that captured Major Francis Murray of the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment. Captain Johann von Ewald recorded an account of this raid:
“One was the Pennsylvania Volunteers of Foot and the other the Independent Dragoons of Pennsylvania under Captain Hovendon, a Tulpehocken man by birth. From these two corps, the day before yesterday, Captain Hovendon with thirty horse and Captain Thomas with forty foot went into Bucks County and surprised an enemy detachment at Jenkin’s fulling mill, where a great amount of cloth had been stored for the American troops. They cut them down to a man and set the mill on fire. After this stroke, they took the road to Newtown, where an enemy party had taken post. Fortunately, they surprised the sentries and struck them down, but when they drew near the quarters of the American Major Murray the sentries at the house opened fire, alarming the guard, which fired at once. But Captain Thomas stormed the house, killed a part of the pickets, and captured the major, five officers, three noncommissioned officers, and twenty-four privates.”
February 19
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- I am well acquainted with the Horrid Intercorce kep up between the Country and City, but, I am Sorry I have it to Say, my Strength heretofore has been So weak as Rendered it impossible for me to put a Stop to it.
- My numbers begin to increase, and I expect in a few Days to be in a Condition to incamp Nearer the City, at present I have out of Better than Six Hundred Men, but one Hundred and fourty that is armed.
- I expect armes to arive tomorrow Sufficient to Compleat the whole, after which I assure your Excellency, every Measure Shall be taken in My power, to Stop the Intercorce between the City and Country.
- the Enemy Comes out every night and Returns in the Day, a large party of their Horse Came up last night, to Newtown took Major Murry Prisoner, took the gratest part of his men; and all the Cloath Both at Newtown and at the fulling mill.
February 20
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- My people have taken Several persons going to Market Some of which is now Confind in my provo. three Young Fellows in perticulal, who were going to the Enemy with an entent to Stay with them, they had Meal on their Backs, which they Confess was for Market, they were flying to escape their fines in the Militia.
February 23
A British raid captured 130 cattle that were being transported to Valley Forge. Lacey was supposed to provide an armed escort for the men driving the cattle, but he did not have enough men to spare.
February 24
Lacey moved his camp to Hartsville, which was called “Cross Roads” at the time.
February 27
Lacey wrote to Washington:
- I have now under Confinement Twelve persons all taken going into Philada at Different times with small parcels of Marketing on their Backs. I have Just reason to Suspect the Greatest part of them, (as they are Young fellows) are going to join the Enemy…
- A party of the Enemys Light Horse came into the Country last Monday night and took a Number of Cattle going to Head Quarters and drove them into Philada next Morning.
Around this time, Colonel Jacob Stroud and his men from the Northhampton County Militia arrived. This increased Lacey’s strength to 600 men.
March 2
Lacey moved his camp to Crooked Billet (present-day Hatboro).
March 3
Lacey wrote to Washington: I have moved my Camp to this place [Crooked Billet], but will be so Weakened by those Detachments that I Shall be Obliget to Return Back to the Cross Roads. My Scouting Parties go Down as far as Shoemakers On the York Road, and to White Marsh on the Germantown Road, and to Bustle town on the frankford Road.
March 10
Lacey moved to Whitemarsh, hoping to assist Continental forces with a foraging expedition. He moved too slowly, and by the time he arrived, the Continentals were gone.
March 18
Lacey’s strength had been reduced to 250 men. Despite this, there had been no British raids in March.
March 21
Lacey wrote to Washington: I have ordered my Horse some days since (which is fifteen in number) on the different Roads, to keep pretty low down, in order to prevent the Quakers going into the City, I have ordered them, if they refuse to stop when hailed to fire upon them, and to leave their Corps laying in the Road.
Lacey wrote to General John Armstrong Sr. and told him that he had “Three hundred and fifteen present fit for duty…”
March 29
Lacey wrote to Washington: I have wrote to the president and Council of this State, concerning those People who are found trading With the Enemy, and that your Excellency was desirous the State would adopt some plan to bring the traitors to Justice.
April 7
Hovenden and Thomas attacked an American foraging expedition that was led by Captain Jacob Humphrey. The Americans pushed the British back and withdrew to Somerton, believing they were safe.
- Simcoe arrived the next morning to reinforce Hovenden and Thomas.
- They attacked the Americans and drove them out of Somerton.
- Later that day, British forces engaged some of Lacey’s men and routed them.
April 17
British forces carried out a surprise attack on the village of Bristol, Pennsylvania. They routed the Americans and captured a contingent of Continental soldiers.
April 24
Around this time, Captain William Pugh and his Bucks County Militia joined Lacey, as did Colonel Abraham Smith and his Cumberland County Militia.
April 26
A contingent from the Northampton Militia was attacked by a British force led by Captain Oliver De Lancey that included 50 of his men and horsemen from the 17th Dragoons. The Americans were routed and suffered heavy casualties.
April 27
Lacey had 53 men at Crooked Billet who were fit for duty.
April 30
Colonel Frederick Watts arrived at Crooked Billet to reinforce Lacey. This gave Lacey roughly 300 men who were fit for duty.
In his orders for the day, Lacey told his sentries to remain at their posts and for the rest of the men to be ready to march at any moment. He also instructed scouting parties to be on the road watching for British forces by 2:00 a.m.
AHC Note
- The excerpts from Lacey’s correspondence with Washington are taken from the full letters, which are available at Founders Online.
Simcoe Targets Crooked Billet
British forces in the area were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Nisbet Balfour. According to most accounts, Major Simcoe approached Balfour about the possibility of carrying out a significant attack on Lacey’s forces.
Balfour responded by sending spies to scout the area where Lacey was operating. When Balfour found out that Lacey would be at Crooked Billet on May 1, 1778, he informed Simcoe. With this information in hand, Simcoe presented his plan to General William Howe, who reviewed it and approved the operation.
- Simcoe planned to march the Queen’s Rangers north of Crooked Billet and then attack the Americans from behind.
- If the Americans tried to escape, he believed they would head toward Valley Forge. To prevent this, he wanted to set up an ambush on the road running westward from the tavern to Horsham Meeting House, and then on to Valley Forge.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Abercromby was assigned to assist with the operation. Abercromby’s force included 400 light infantry and dragoons, and they were responsible for setting up and carrying out the ambush.
The British Advance
Simcoe’s expedition marched out of Philadelphia during the afternoon of April 30, 1778. Local guides led the British to Huntingdon (present-day Huntingdon Valley), where Simcoe and Abercromby separated and continued their marches to Crooked Billet. Both of them were careful to avoid American patrols; however, this slowed their progress.
- Simcoe continued to march north on Middle Road and then took Byberry Road toward Crooked Billet.
- Abercromby took the road westward toward Horsham Meeting House and Valley Forge on the York Road.
One of Simcoe’s primary objectives was to capture Lacey, who was staying in a stone house near the tavern. He sent a contingent of troops ahead to scout the house, surround it, and capture Lacey. Simcoe planned to use the house as a gathering place for his forces after the battle.
Meanwhile, Simcoe and Abercromby continued moving toward Crooked Billet. Just before daybreak, they were still almost two miles away. Around this time, American patrols started moving through the area and encountered the lead elements of the British forces.
- One patrol spotted Abercromby’s men. The British fired on the Americans, who fled.
- Another, led by Lieutenant William Neilson (also spelled Nielson or Nelson) saw some of Abercromby’s cavalry on the road. Neilson and his men left the road and took position in the woods, intending to fire on the British as they passed. Neilson sent John Morrow to warn the American camp, but he arrived too late.
- A third, led by Ensign John Laughlin, did not encounter British forces and returned to the camp just as the British attack started.
Abercromby responded to these incidents by sending his cavalry and dragoons ahead to set up the ambush. He took the rest of his men and headed toward Crooked Billet so he could support Simcoe’s attack.
AHC Note
- The American patrols were supposed to be out scouting by 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. However, they were late.
- Neilson and Laughlin were accused of sleeping until daybreak; however, some accounts suggest that when the orders were read to them, they were told the time was 3:00.
- Had the patrols been on the road at 2:00, Lacey’s camp would have been warned in time and prepared for the attack.
The British Attack
The British arrived at the camp around first daylight. Some of the dragoons were about 200 yards from the camp when an American sentry spotted them approaching and raised the alarm. Lacey was still in bed, but quickly dressed, mounted his horse, and joined his men, who had also been sleeping and were scrambling to prepare themselves.
- The British took positions behind fences and buildings.
- They fired on the Americans from the front and the rear.
Realizing he was almost completely surrounded, Lacey acted quickly by organizing his men and moving them, including their supply wagons, toward the woods near the tavern. To reach the woods, they had to pass through an open field, exposing them to the British, who were following from behind and closing in on both sides. As the Americans were moving through the field, some British cavalry emerged from the woods to block their path. Lacey ordered his men to “deliver their fire and push on.”
- Afterward, Lacey reported, “I kept moving on till I made the wood, when a party of both horse and foot came up the Byberry road, and attacked my right flank — the party from the Billet fell upon my rear — the horse from the rear of my camp came upon my left flank, and a body of horse appeared directly in front.”
- As the British closed in on both sides, the gunfire intensified.
- Simcoe’s troops attacked the front and right side of the American column.
Simcoe sent 30 of his dragoons to attack the supply wagons. When they approached, the Americans fled, leaving the wagons behind. Lacey and his men managed to push into the woods, where Simcoe rode up and tried to persuade them to surrender, but they ignored him and continued to retreat.
The British pursued the Americans for about two miles to Johnsville and then Hart’s Corner (present-day Hartsville, Pennsylvania). At this point, Lacey turned his men back toward Crooked Billet Tavern, hoping to catch the British by surprise and launch a counterattack. By the time they reached the tavern, the British were already gone. Lacey found many of the wounded Americans had suffered bayonet wounds, while others had apparently been burned alive.
Lacey then took his men westward toward Valley Forge. He returned to Hartsville and set up camp on the north side of Neshaminy Creek.
Simcoe decided to end his pursuit of Lacey and returned to the tavern to gather his troops, collect the captured supply wagons, and return to Philadelphia. Before leaving, his men plundered some of the homes in the area.
AHC Note
- The American supply wagons were full of food and supplies that Lacey and his men had taken from local farmers.
- The food and supplies were taken to Philadelphia and sold. The proceeds were divided among the men of the expedition. Each of them received one dollar.
Casualties
The Americans suffered about 30 killed and 17 wounded, and General Howe reported that the British had nine wounded in the battle.
Aftermath
On May 4, 1778, Lacey conducted a court-martial of some of the officers who led the patrols on the morning of May 1 and failed to alert the camp about the presence of British forces in the area.
- Lieutenant Neilson was found guilty and cashiered (honorably discharged).
- Ensign Laughlin was found not guilty.
- Some other officers and local citizens were tried and convicted. Some were sentenced to be whipped, while others were confined to the Lancaster County Jail.
Changes in Command
Soon after the battle, Potter returned to the militia and resumed command from Lacey. However, General Washington sent General William Maxwell and his troops to the area, superseding Potter and the militia.
- Lacey returned to his home on June 6, 1778.
- Despite having no command, he continued to support the American war effort.
Accusations of a Massacre
Following the battle, survivors of the attack suggested the British had set fire to the clothing of some of the wounded men while they were still alive and had tossed others into a larger fire in a buckwheat field. This fueled speculation that Simcoe and his men were guilty of committing another massacre, similar in nature to what happened at Quinton’s Bridge and Hancock’s Bridge. On September 16, 1778, William McMichael, an American who fought in the battle, filed this deposition:
William McMichael, of the Northern Liberties, of the city of Philadelphia, calker, on his solemn oath, deposeth and saith, that he was in service as a volunteer in the militia of this State, under the command of Brigadier-General Lacey, on or about the first day of May last, when the British troops attacked the said General’s camp; and that after some contest, the said General Lacey was obliged to retire, leaving many of his wounded men on the field of action. That, having retired some small distance, he, this deponent, saw the enemy carrying straw to the places where the wounded were left, and did verily believe they intended to have comforted them therewith; but that before he had proceeded more than four hundred yards from where the wounded lay, he saw the straw in flames. And further this deponent saith, that on the same day he passed over the same ground, in company with several other persons, and saw the bones of the bodies lying among the ashes of the straw, together with some remains of accoutrements. The deponent further saith, that he heard two privates, who were taken the day aforesaid, say that the British troops were ordered not to give any quarter, and to take no prisoners, and that they were threatened by their officers with having no allowance of rum if they did.
William McMichael, Philadelphia, September 16, 1778.
Sworn before me, Jonathan B. Smith.
AP US History
Definition
Battle of Crooked Billet (May 1, 1778) — The Battle of Crooked Billet was fought during the Philadelphia Campaign, after a series of small skirmishes took place northwest of the city of Philadelphia between British forces and General John Lacey’s Pennsylvania Militia. Major John On May 1, Major John Graves Simcoe launched a surprise attack on Lacey’s camp at Crooked Billet. The Americans suffered heavy casualties but Lacey was able to lead a column to safety in some nearby woods. After Simcoe ended the pursuit, Lacey returned to Crooked Billet, where he found many of his wounded men had been brutally killed, leading to accusations that Simcoe’s men were guilty of committing a massacre.
Alignment
The Battle of Crooked Billet is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
Appendix
Lacey’s Eyewitness Account
AHC Note — Lacey’s eyewitness account is taken from Battles of the United States by Sea and Land (1858) by Henry B. Dawson. Please note that minor text corrections have been made and spacing has been added to improve readability. This report was sent to General George Washington the day after the battle.
Camp near Neshaminy Bridge
York Road, May 2, 1778
Sir: — My camp, near the Crooked Billet, was surrounded on the morning of the first instant, by daylight, with a body of the enemy, who appeared on all quarters. My scouts had neglected the preceding night to patrol the roads, as they were ordered, but lay in camp till nearly day, although their orders were to leave it by two o’clock in the morning. One of the parties, commanded by a lieutenant, met the enemy near two miles from the camp, but never gave us the alarm. He makes his excuse, that he was so near them before he espied them, that he thought himself in danger of being cut to pieces by their horse in case he had fired; but that he sent off a man to give notice the enemy were approaching, who, however, did not come. To the disobedience and misconduct of this and the other officers of the scouts, I have to lay my misfortunes.
The alarm was so sudden I had scarcely time to mount my horse before the enemy was within musket-shot of my quarters. I observed the party in my rear had got into houses and behind fences; and as their numbers could not be ascertained, I did not think it advisable to attack them in that situation — especially as another body appeared in my front, to the east of the Billet. In this uncertainty as to the numbers I had to contend with, I thought it best to open my way under cover of wood to the left of my camp, towards Colonel Hart’s, for which my little body moved in column, the baggage following in the rear.
I had not passed far before my flanking parties began to exchange fire with the enemy. I kept moving on till I made the wood; when a party of both foot and horse came up the Byberry road, and attacked my right flank; the party from the Billet fell upon my rear; the horse, from the rear of my camp, came upon my left flank; and a body of horse appeared directly in front.
We made a stand in this wood, and gave them some warm fires, which forced them to retire. Their horse suffered considerably as they charged us, and were severely repulsed. Their strength gathering from all quarters, I thought it best to move on, which I did with the loss of the baggage, the horse giving way in front as we advanced.
We continued fighting and retreating for upwards of two miles, when I made a sudden turn to the left, through a wood, which entirely extricated myself from them. I came into the York Road near the cross-roads, and moved slowly down towards the Billet, in hopes to take some advantage of them on that quarter, where they might least expect me; but I found they had retired towards the city.
My people behaved well. My loss is about thirty killed and seventeen wounded. Some were butchered in the most savage and cruel manner; even while living, some were thrown into buckwheat straw, and the straw set on fire. The clothes were burnt on others, and scarcely one left without a dozen wounds, with bayonets and cutlasses.
The enemy’s loss is not known, but it is currently reported there is one field officer among their slain. We took three of their horses, and five are left dead on the field, their riders either killed or wounded.
The times of the militia light-horse are all expired, and they have left me. They have been of much service to me, and I now feel their loss. Twenty horse are better than fifty foot to make discoveries and give intelligence.
I am, with respect, your most obedient servant. — J. Lacey
Narrative of the Battle of Crooked Billet
AHC Note — This narrative of the Battle of Crooked Billet is taken from Sketch of the Life and Character of John Lacey: A Brigadier General in the Revolutionary Army (1868) by William Watts Hart. Please note that minor text corrections have been made and spacing has been added to improve readability.
The Crooked Billet, as the place was then called, now known by the name of Hatborough, was at that time a small village of about a dozen or fifteen houses, situated on the main road (the York road) leading from Philadelphia to New York, and about sixteen miles from the former city.
The American troops were encamped in or near a large wood at the upper end of the village, on the farm of Samuel Irvine, and now owned by the estate of John Beans, deceased. In front, it extended some three or four hundred yards along the York road, and a greater distance to the east, containing about twenty-five acres. In his rear, there was an open cultivated country more than half a mile, to the county line, with a small body of timber about midway to that road.
General Lacey was quartered in a stone house, about three hundred yards in the rear of his encampment, on the opposite side of the road. It was then owned by a man named Gilbert, but now belongs to John M. Hogeland.
There is some difference of opinion as to the house in which Lacey was quartered; some contend it was that of Asa Comly, some distance higher up the road, and then owned by John Tompkins. But from the most reliable information we have been able to obtain, as well as the situation of the premises, we feel confident he was quartered in the house of Mr. Hogeland.
The wood in front of the encampment still shows traces of spoliation by the troops, in order to obtain fuel; the new growth of trees, in the place of those cut down, is much smaller than in other parts of the wood. He was joined the evening before the attack by a body of militia, without arms, who fared badly the next day. The exact number of Americans has never been rightly known, but is supposed not to have exceeded four hundred in all, who were raw militia.
General Lacey took the necessary measures to prevent a surprise, and if his orders had been carried out by those whose duty it was, he would not have been found by the enemy unprepared to meet them.
The evening before, he gave orders for the patrols, under two commissioned officers, of whom Lieutenant [William] Neilson was one, to leave the camp between two and three o’clock the next morning, scour the country toward the enemy’s lines, and report to him the first intimation of their approach. They did not leave camp, however, until near daylight, and when they met the enemy, they neglected to give the alarm. Under these circumstances, the Americans were taken entirely by surprise.
The commander-in-chief of the British army had, for some time, deemed it of importance to attack and disperse the force of General Lacey, which had, during the winter and spring, done them much harm, by stopping the communication between the city and country and preventing people from carrying their produce to market.
Major Simcoe, the commander of the Queen’s Rangers, an active refugee corps which had made many incursions into the surrounding country, had it in contemplation to surprise Lacey’s camp. He laid his plans before Colonel Balfour and asked his co-operation. Spies were immediately sent into Lacey’s neighborhood, and all his movements were closely watched; every piece of information which they obtained was immediately communicated to these British officers.
In a few days after their first interview, Balfour informed Simcoe that General Lacey was to be at the Billet, with his corps, on the first day of May, and furnished him with such other information as would be of service to him.
Simcoe laid this intelligence before General Howe, who approved his plans and gave him permission to attack the Americans; and, from his superior knowledge of the country and the roads, upon him devolved the duty of making the necessary arrangements to ensure success.
His plan was to march with the Queen’s Rangers, and attack General Lacey on the left and rear, and thus cut off his communication with the upper country; while another body of British troops should ambuscade themselves in a wood, on the road from the Billet to the Horsham meeting-house, which runs in the direction of the Valley Forge. It was supposed that if Lacey should be defeated, he would march toward the main army, and that this ambuscade, placed in the wood for that purpose, would effectually cut off his retreat.
Simcoe was to begin the attack, and, when the firing of the Rangers should be heard in the rear, another body was to move up in front, thus placing the Americans between two fires; and, acting in concert, it was supposed they would be able to accomplish their object without much difficulty.
In addition to the Queen’s Rangers, under Simcoe, there was selected for this enterprise a large detachment of light infantry and cavalry, the whole under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Abercrombie. Spare horses were led, in order to mount the infantry, if necessary for greater expedition.
Having made all the preliminary arrangements, the morning of the first day of May was fixed upon as the time for attack, and the troops ordered to hold themselves in readiness. The British troops left Philadelphia the afternoon before, under the direction of guides who were well acquainted with the country. They marched out the Second Street Road, and up the Middle Road to the village of Huntingdon, where the force separated.
The main body, composed of the light infantry and most of the cavalry, commanded by Abercrombie in person, struck across to the York road, and so on up to Horsham, in order to form the proposed ambuscade, and also attack Lacey in front.
Simcoe continued his march up the Middle Road, occasionally making a detour to avoid such places as Lacey’s men might chance to be at, thus prolonging the distance he had to march. He turned to the left into the Byberry road, along which he marched to what is now known as Lloyd’s Corner, when he again changed his direction by turning into the road which runs from Willow Grove to the county line.
At the first cross-roads, where Archibald Banes used to live, he again turned to the left, and came out into the county line a short distance above the eight-square school-house. Just above this point, he struck across the fields, on the farm of Isaac Boileau, the nearest way to the Billet.
The instructions to Captain Kerr’s division, which marched with Major Simcoe, were to seize and barricade Lacey’s quarters and hold them as a rallying point, in case of any discomfiture. They were exceedingly anxious to capture Lacey and placed spies in the apple-trees around his quarters to watch his movements, but, fortunately, he escaped without being discovered.
Simcoe, during the night, fell in with Captain Thomas’s company of armed refugees, which he would certainly have mistaken for Americans, and attached them, had he not received information about twilight that they were in the neighborhood. But for this knowledge, a serious episode for the British might have happened. Both parties marched as rapidly as possible, in order to reach their destination while under the cover of darkness, and commence the attack at or near the same time.
Simcoe marched with such caution that he escaped all Lacey’s patrols, but daylight appeared when he was yet some distance from the American camp. The officer who commanded the party in ambush met one of the patrols within two miles of Lacey’s camp, who, when fired upon, fled in a contrary direction.
The patrol which left camp about daylight was divided into three parts; that under Lieutenant Nielson took the right-hand road from the Billet, leading to Horsham, and on which the ambush was placed. After proceeding about a mile and a half, they first saw the enemy’s light-horse, when they took post in a wood to first upon them when they should come within reach.
Soon they saw a party of foot following, when Lieutenant Neilson ordered a soldier, named John Morrow, to return to camp and give the alarm. He did so, and when he arrived there, he found the men already paraded behind the camp, and fell into ranks with them; he was too late to save them from surprise.
Another scout, which went in a different direction, was commanded by Ensign Laughlin. They marched about two miles without discovering anything of the enemy; when they returned and were close to the camp, they first heard the firing. Aborcrombie, fearing he should not be in time to support Simcoe, detached the cavalry and mounted infantry to the place of ambuscade, in advance, and with the main body marched up the York road, to attack the Americans in front.
From the manner in which Lacey was surrounded, Ambercrombie must have detached a party up the Easton road to turn his right flank and fall upon his rear, in concert with the Queen’s Rangers. They probably came into the York road where the county line crosses it, and were the cavalry which attacked him on the left flank, soon after he commenced his retreat. He mentions, in his dispatch to General Armstrong, that one party of the enemy passed the cross-roads in his rear before his scout got there.
The first intimation General Lacey had of the approach of the enemy was about daylight in the morning, when they were within about two hundred yards of his camp. He was in bed at the time, and had barely time to dress, mount his horse, and join his men, before they were within musket-shot of his quarters.
He discovered the enemy in front and rear, near the same time, who opened fire upon him, some being sheltered behind fences and in houses. His situation was a critical one, and as there was no time left for speculation as to the course he should pursue, he was obliged to act upon the emergency of the occasion.
Seeing himself almost surrounded, and the enemy’s force much superior to his own, he deemed it injudicious to make a stand against them and therefore ordered a retreat. He moved in columns to the left, in the direction of a wood, with his wagons following in his rear, across open fields and in full view of the enemy, who were in pursuit. He relates that when he emerged into the open fields, and a large body of the enemy’s horse appeared in front, his men gave him an anxious look, as much as to ask him what they should do. He told them to “deliver their fire and push on.”
After marching a short distance, his flanking parties first began to exchange shots with the enemy, which grew warmer and warmer as they advanced, and soon he was hotly engaged. He moved on. across the fields, in tolerable order, until he reached the wood, where he was obliged to make a stand, to open his way, for by this time all the parties of the enemy had come up, and now attacked him on all sides.
In his report of the action to Washington, he says; “I kept moving on till I made the wood, when a party of both horse and foot came up the Byberry road, and attacked my right flank — the party from the Billet fell upon my rear — the horse from the rear of my camp came upon my left flank, and a body of horse appeared directy in front.”
The enemy now began to concentrate all their force upon the wood, and being still much exposed, and having suffered considerable loss. General Lacey thought it would be safer to move on, which he did with the loss of all his baggage, which fell into the enemy’s hands.
It was Simcoe with his rangers and cavalry who appeared on Lacey’s right flank and front, about the time he reached the wood. When he had quitted the main road and struck across the fields to march directly to the Billet, and was informing the officers of the plan of attack, he heard firing in the direction of Abercombie’s detachment, and exclaimed, “The dragoons have discovered us,” and marched forward at a rapid pace to join in the action. He came upon the right flank of the retreating Americans, as it has already been mentioned, in his march, intercepting small parties of the flying militiamen, who were mostly killed.
While he pushed on for the main body of the Americans, he dispatched thirty dragoons to intercept the baggage of General Lacey, which they succeeded in doing, as it was crossing the fields. As the Americans were marching through the woods, Major Simcoe endeavored, by a ruse de guerre, to induce them to lay down their arms.
He rode up within hailing distance and commanded them to surrender. As they did not stop, he next gave the commands, in a loud tone, “make ready” — “present” — “fire” — hoping to deceive them into the belief that he had a large body of troops with him. In this, he was disappointed; they moved on as before, and paid no other attention to him than to bow their heads at the word — “fire.” They continued to retreat, skirmishing as they marched, for nearly two miles, the British hanging upon their flanks and rear, and now and then a man falling — killed or wounded.
They passed across the farm of Thomas Craven, now owned by Mr. Finney, thence through what is now the village of Johnsville, in Warminster Township, Bucks County, and so on nearly to Hart’s Corner, on the Bristol Road, where they suddenly turned to the left into a wood, and thus escaped the pursuit. Thence they struck across the country to the York road, which they came into just below the Cross Roads, now Hartsville, and moved down toward the Billet, hoping to find the enemy, in the hour of victory, off their guard, and thus be able to gain some advantage over them. They, however, found upon their arrival at the scene of action that the enemy had retired, carrying with them most of their killed and wounded.
The British followed the retreating Americans until they made the sudden turn to the left, when they gave up the pursuit and returned to the field to gather up the spoils and prepare to return to the city.
The enemy behaved in the most cruel and inhuman manner to our wounded men, whom they found lying on the field, many of whom they mangled shockingly and burnt in buckwheat straw. The latter circumstance, for the sake of humanity and the credit of the English name, we would fain disbelieve, but there is such undoubted evidence to sustain it that we are fully convinced of its truth.
On the farm of Thomas Craven, in a field near the county line, was a large heap of buckwheat straw. Garret Kroeson, deceased, who then lived in the neighborhood, says a skirmishing party of Americans, much fatigued, crept into this straw about sunrise in the morning, when a Tory who knew their secret resting place informed the British. They set fire to the straw while the Americans were asleep, burned some to death on the spot, and others were so badly burned they died in a short time. They also set fire to the wounded, many ot whom had dragged themselves to the straw for shelter, while they were yet alive, and caused them to expire in the most excruciating agony. We have abundant proof of this.
General Lacey, in his letter to General Armstrong, of the date of the 7th of May, speaks of this circumstance in the following manner: “Many of the unfortunate who fell into the merciless hands ot the British, were more cruelly and inhumanly butchered. Some were set on fire with buckwheat straw, and others had their clothes burnt on their backs. Some of the surviving sufferers say they saw the enemy set fire to the wounded while yet alive, who struggled to put it out but were too weak, and expired under this torture. I saw those lying in the buckwheat straw — they made a most melancholy appearance. Others I saw, who, after being wounded with a ball, had received near a dozen wounds with cutlasses and bayonets. I can find as many witnesses to the proof of these cruelties as there were people on the spot, and that was no small number who came as spectators.”
The loss of the Americans was twenty-six killed, and eight or ten wounded, most of whom fell while marching across the open fields; several prisoners were taken, but it is not known how many. The loss of the British could never be ascertained, as they carried the killed and wounded with them to the city — it must, however, have been considerable. One field officer is supposed to have fallen, and another officer was severely wounded in the knee, near the house of Thomas Craven, into which he was carried. Major Simcoe admits that some of his rangers were wounded, as was also the horse of his orderly hussar. He likewise mentions that the shoe-buckles of one Captain McGill probably saved the life of that officer.
General Lacey states that he captured two of their horses and that five were left dead on the field. Of the Americans, two officers of the patrols were killed, and also Captain Downey, who was horribly mangled. The baggage captured from the Americans was taken to Philadelphia and sold, and the proceeds were divided among the men of the expedition. It yielded one dollar to each man.
The dead were collected and buried in one grave, near where they fell, in a field along the county line, and a short distance above Craven’s Corner. The wounded were carried to the house of Thomas Craven, nearby, where they were well taken care of and remained until they recovered, or were able to be removed to their own homes.
After General Lacey had paid the last sad rites of humanity to the dead and had his wounded made comfortable, he took up the line of march for the Cross-Roads, now Hartsville, where he encamped on the north bank of Neshaminy Creek, which he considered a very safe position and of easy defense.
When the British returned from the pursuit, they rode up to several houses in the village and asked for bread and cheese, but did not tarry a long time, from fear that the Americans might rally and attack them. They plundered some of the houses and spread great consternation among the inhabitants. A small party of them went to the house of David Marple, a very aged man, and grandfather of Col. David Marple, of Warminster township, Bucks county, and ordered him and his family to catch the chickens for them and have them cooked. He told them he was unable to do it. When they excused him, they ordered his sons and daughters to catch them, which they were obliged to do. They even compelled them to take the setting hens from their nests.
The last British soldier was killed in a wood a short distance above what was then known as Hart’s Corner, on the east side of the Bristol road. He was chasing an American named Vandyke and had come within a few yards of him while running through the woods. He snapped one pistol at him, which missed fire. Vandyke, in his alarm, seems not to have recollected that he carried a loaded musket on his shoulder, but was retreating as rapidly as possible, with a fair prospect of having his brains blown out by his pursuer. When the dragoon was about drawing his second pistol, it occurred to the American that his gun was loaded, and might in this critical posture of affairs do him some service. Thereupon, without any delay, he took deliberate aim at the Englishman and shot him dead; then mounted his horse and rode away to join the main body of Americans. This incident used to be related by Captain Baird, now deceased, who was an officer in the action, and we think an eyewitness to the affair.
As soon as General Lacey was fixed in his new camp at the Neshaminy, he ordered a general court-martial to try the officers of his scouts for disobedience of orders and neglect of duty on the morning of the surprise and attack at the Billet.
It convened at camp, May the 4th, 1778, and was composed of twelve officers; Colonel Smith was president, and William Findley, afterward a distinguished politician and governor of the State, was the judge-advocate. The two officers tried were Lieutenant Neilson and Ensign Laughlin: the former was found guilty of the charge laid against him, and sentenced to be cashiered, which was carried into effect; the latter was acquitted and ordered to his regiment for duty. Besides these two officers, several persons were tried before the same court-martial, for various offenses — some being soldiers, and others citizens who were charged with holding intercourse with the enemy. Several were found guilty, some of whom were sentenced to be whipped, and others to be confined in the jail at Lancaster.
General Lacey continued his camp at the Neshaminy, near the Cross-Roads, until he was relieved from the command. General Washington writes him from the Valley Forge, on the 11th day of May, announcing to him the return of General Potter from the westward, who was appointed to supercede him in the command of the Pennsylvania militia, and requests that he will remain with him a few days, to give him some knowledge of the roads and make him acquainted with those on whom he could rely as guides, for intelligence, etc.
Lacey, as he was desired by the commander-in-chief, remained a few days in camp, with General Potter, to give him the necessary information to enable him to operate with effect in the surrounding country. Gen. Potter shortly afterward marched with the militia nearer to Philadelphia, and left Col. Watts, from Cumberland, in command of the troops in Bucks County.
Lacey left camp on the 6th of June, after returning thanks to the troops that had been under his command for their good conduct, and retired to his home in Buckingham. Although he had no command according to his rank, he was as active as ever in the cause of his country. He continued to discharge the important duties of sub-lieutenant of the county of Bucks, and exerted himself to keep up an efficient organization of the militia, and also to rouse up his fellow-citizens to sustain the cause of their country against the common enemy.
