Battle of Barren Hill

The engagement at Barren Hill provided a dramatic demonstration of the Marquis de Lafayette's tactical ability just months after his arrival in America. Lafayette commanded about 2,200 men on a reconnaissance toward Philadelphia — his first independent command of any significance. Howe, learning of Lafayette's isolated position, mounted an elaborate attempt to surround and capture the young French general and his entire force.

Howe sent three columns to encircle the American position while a fourth was to block the retreat route. The trap was well-designed and should have worked. But Lafayette discovered the encirclement in time through the alertness of his patrols. He executed a rapid withdrawal through a ford the British had not covered, leading his entire force across the Schuylkill River to safety.

When Howe's troops converged on Barren Hill, they found the position abandoned. Lafayette's quick thinking and knowledge of the terrain had foiled a plan that might have captured one of the most prominent officers in the Continental Army. The episode embarrassed the British command and enhanced Lafayette's reputation for intelligent, aggressive leadership that would characterize his entire service in America.