Lafayette Leads American Forces To Safety
Detailed Revolutionary War battle plan showing the action at the Battle of Barren Hill and published by Stedman.
The map shows the development of events near the Schuylkill River in southeasternmost Pennsylvania. The map shows where Lafayette and his French troops were posted, the woody ground which concealed British movements from the French as they marched from the town of White Marsh, the point reached by Grant before his position was discovered by Lafayette, Matson's Ford, and the path taken during Lafayette's retreat.
Battle of Barren Hill
The Battle of Barren Hill was an attempt by British forces to trap a smaller continental force during the Pennsylvania Campaign.
The engagement started on May 20, 1778, when the British attacked a small American militia that scattered at the sight of the British troops. Lafayette was not notified of British advancements, and would only hear word later in the day after the British advanced up the White Marsh Road.
Upon seeing the British troops, Lafayette escaped via a small road that led to Dickinson's Ford (shown in broken lines on the map), which was unknown to the British and allowed for the concealed movement of troops. A rearguard and several small patrols delayed British troops and led the British to believe that the continental army planned to stay and fight.