Battle of Crooked Billet

Battle of Crooked Billet
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Battle of Crooked Billet monument
Date May 1, 1778 Location Crooked Billet Tavern (Present-day Hatboro, Pennsylvania) Result British victory
Belligerents
Pennsylvania militia	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
John Lacey	John Graves Simcoe Robert Abercromby
Strength
300-500	850
Casualties and losses
26 killed 8 wounded 58 captured	7 wounded

John Graves Simcoe

The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on May 1, 1778 near the Crooked Billet Tavern (present-day Hatboro, Pennsylvania). In the skirmish action, British forces under the command of Major John Graves Simcoe launched a surprise attack against Brigadier General John Lacey and three regiments of Pennsylvania militia, who were literally caught sleeping. The British inflicted significant damage, and Lacey and his forces were forced to retreat into neighboring Bucks County.

The British Army, led by General William Howe, had captured New York City in 1776 and Philadelphia in 1777. Even after the capture of forts Mifflin and Mercer, which had previously prevented the resupply of British-occupied Philadelphia by sea, the British relied heavily upon the overland route between New York City and Philadelphia for the movement of men, supplies and communication. British troops also regularly foraged for supplies in the countryside around the city.

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