Battle of Matson's Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Matson's Ford |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Pennsylvania militia |
 Great Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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James Potter |
Lord Cornwallis |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | 3,500 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 or 6 killed 20 wounded 20 captured |
Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Matson's Ford was a small fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on December 11, 1777, near a river crossing called Matson's Ford. This area is now Conshohocken and West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
During this battle, American soldiers from the Pennsylvania militia met British troops. The British were looking for supplies. The American militia was quickly defeated. The British then moved towards Matson's Ford. Here, parts of the Continental Army were trying to cross the Schuylkill River. The Americans quickly pulled back to the other side of the river. They destroyed their temporary bridge to stop the British. The next day, the British left to find food elsewhere. The Continental Army crossed the river at a different spot, Swede's Ford. This place is now Norristown.
Contents
What Led to the Battle?
The Fight for Philadelphia
The British army, led by General William Howe, had captured New York City in 1776. Their next goal was to take Philadelphia. Philadelphia was where the American leaders, the Second Continental Congress, met.
In July 1777, General Howe sailed with about 18,000 soldiers. They landed near the Chesapeake Bay. In August, they marched towards Philadelphia. On September 11, they fought General George Washington's Continental Army at the Battle of Brandywine. The British won this battle. Washington's army had to retreat. On September 25, the British took control of Philadelphia without a fight.
Washington's Army at White Marsh
By early December 1777, General Howe led his troops out of Philadelphia. He wanted to try and defeat Washington's army one last time. This was before winter arrived. They fought at the Battle of White Marsh from December 5 to 8. Washington's army successfully stopped the British attacks. General Howe then returned to Philadelphia. Washington and his soldiers stayed camped at White Marsh.
Preparing for the Fight
Moving to Winter Camp
On December 10, 1777, General George Washington and his officers decided something important. The Continental Army would move to a winter camp. This camp would be west of the Schuylkill River.
The army packed up their camp on the morning of December 11. They marched through Plymouth Meeting. Then they went along Ridge Road. Finally, they reached the river crossing at Matson's Ford. Washington wanted to make sure the crossing was safe. He ordered the Pennsylvania militia to set up three lookout points. These points were west of the river. Their job was to warn of any British troop movements.
British Foraging Expedition
At the same time, General Charles Cornwallis led a large British force out of Philadelphia. They were on a "foraging expedition." This means they were looking for food and supplies. Cornwallis did not know that Washington's army was moving. He planned to search for food south of Matson's Ford.
Cornwallis crossed the Schuylkill River at Middle Ferry. The American lookouts there fired their muskets. Then they pulled back. Cornwallis continued towards Matson's Ford. His force included British light infantry and grenadiers. He also had regular infantry, dragoons, and German soldiers called Jägers. They brought six cannons with them.
The Battle Begins
Militia Retreats
Soon after, the American militia at Black Horse Inn fought the British. The British had more soldiers. They also attacked from the sides. The militia started to fall back in confusion. Some soldiers were hurt. General Potter, who was at Harriton House, received reports. They said the British were "advancing in force" towards him.
Potter placed five groups of militia between the British and Harriton House. But the militia were quickly overwhelmed. They quickly retreated through Gulph Mills to Swede's Ford. The retreat was very messy. Some militia members even threw away their muskets and ammunition as they ran.
British Take Position
With the American militia running away, Cornwallis stopped chasing them. He took a strong position on the high ground. This spot overlooked Matson's Ford.
General Potter estimated his losses. He thought 5 or 6 of his soldiers were killed. About 20 were wounded, and 20 were captured. He also believed the British had more casualties than his own troops. A German officer, Captain Johann Ewald, wrote that the British captured about 160 men. He said they fought "after a stubborn resistance."
What Happened Next?
Crossing the River
The day after the battle, two groups of the Continental Army arrived. They were led by General John Sullivan. They built a temporary bridge using wagons tied together. They began crossing at Matson's Ford.
These groups had almost finished crossing the river. Then, they saw the British soldiers on the high ground. General Sullivan quickly ordered his troops to retreat back across the river. He then destroyed the makeshift bridge behind them.
Moving to Valley Forge
The Continental Army stayed in the hills above Swede's Ford on December 11 and 12. Washington sent out scouting parties. They needed to find out how many British soldiers were across the river. However, Cornwallis had already left the area. He took a long route back to Philadelphia with the supplies he had found.
On the evening of December 12, Washington's army crossed the Schuylkill River. They used makeshift wagon bridges at Swede's Ford. They then marched to Gulph Mills. The army stayed there from December 13 to December 19.
On December 18, the Americans celebrated a day of "Thanksgiving and Praise." This was to recognize the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga. It was actually the first national holiday for the thirteen colonies. On December 19, the army marched about 7 miles (11 km) west. They went to their winter quarters at Valley Forge.
