In September 2025 the American Revolution Round Table hosted Sheilah Vance, author of Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment. This is a summary of the discussion, which was recorded on Zoom.
The discussion centers on the critical, yet often overlooked, period when George Washington’s Continental Army was encamped at Gulph Mills. This encampment lasted approximately six days, from December 12th to 19th, 1777, immediately preceding the march to Valley Forge. The author, Sheila Vance, decided to focus on this topic because she grew up in Gulph Mills and discovered historical information that confirmed the importance of the encampment, which she had never learned in school.
Context and Prelude to Gulph Mills
The White Marsh Encampment and Challenges:
- Before moving to Gulph Mills, Washington’s army spent six weeks at the White Marsh encampment, which was situated across the Schuylkill River from Gulph Mills.
- During this time, Washington faced severe scrutiny over his leadership because General Horatio Gates had recently won a major victory at Saratoga. This political challenge was tied to the Conway Cabal, as politicians, including John Adams and Patrick Henry, considered replacing Washington. Thomas Conway, an anti-Washington officer, was appointed the first Inspector General of the Army, largely as a way to challenge the Commander-in-Chief.
- General Howe attempted one last engagement at White Marsh before the British settled into winter quarters in Philadelphia. However, this Battle of White Marsh essentially did not happen in a "big way," involving only skirmishes before Howe retreated back to Philadelphia.
- Washington had been alerted to Howe’s planned attack at White Marsh by Lydia Darragh, a woman in Philadelphia who overheard the British plans at her commandeered home and managed to relay the information, concealed in a needle case, to Washington’s key advisor, Elias Boudinot.
The Move to Gulph Mills (Matson’s Ford):
- Determining that his army was too close to the enemy, Washington decided to cross the Schuylkill River to place that substantial river between his forces and the British in Philadelphia.
- Washington initially intended for the army to cross at Matson's Ford on December 11th. This effort resulted in an almost accidental engagement called the Battle of Matson's Ford (or the battle in the Gulph).
- Washington's advanced parties, including General Potter's Pennsylvania militia, encountered a large British foraging party led by General Cornwallis, involving several thousand troops.
- Continental soldiers who had crossed a makeshift bridge at Matson’s Ford were ordered to retreat back across and dismantle the bridge after spotting the British.
- After consulting, the generals realized this was only a foraging party, not the entire British army. However, Washington declared Matson's Ford too dangerous—"the hornets nest"—and rerouted the army downriver to Swedes Ford.
- The army spent the night at Swedes Ford and crossed into Gulph Mills early on December 12th or 13th. The engagement at Matson's Ford resulted in the loss of 20 lives. The British foraging operation itself was described as "brutal," seizing about 2,000 cattle from Gulph Mills farmers.
The Gulph Mills Encampment and Strategic Decisions
Gulph Mills proved to be a necessary, strategic way station.
- Strategic Location: The encampment was located on the high ground, specifically Rebel Hill (400 ft.), which offered Washington a strategic vantage point to monitor British movements toward Philadelphia.
- Decision Making: While at Gulph Mills, Washington consulted with his generals regarding their plans. The options considered for winter quarters included remaining near Philadelphia, or moving further afield to places like Wilmington, Lancaster, or York. Washington delayed making a public choice, potentially to keep his options open or due to concerns about spies.
- Valley Forge Announcement: Washington finally announced the decision to enter winter quarters on December 17th and indicated the location—about seven or eight miles from Gulph Mills—on December 18th. The march to Valley Forge was delayed until December 19th because December 18th had been designated a national Day of Thanksgiving by the Continental Congress to celebrate Gates' victory at Saratoga.
Soldier Morale and Documentation:
- Despite the miserable conditions, including the lack of food, clothes, and shoes in the cold December weather, the soldiers were ideologically motivated and displayed remarkable resilience. Dr. Albigence Waldo noted a "spirit of elacrity and contentment or even cheerfulness" among the men.
- The soldiers were fighting for a republic and democracy, striving to establish a system that was "free and fair for all". The Articles of Confederation had been passed in November 1777, and Virginia, the first state to adopt them, did so during the Gulph Mills encampment, around December 15th or 16th.
- Vance emphasized the importance of documentation found during her research, including a strength return for General Barnum’s division dated December 15th, Gulph Mills, confirming the army's presence. The famous painting, The March to Valley Forge, depicts the march that originated from Gulph Mills.
Continuing Role:
- Gulph Mills continued to be important after the main army moved, serving as a lookout point where General Sterling and later officers like Aaron Burr commanded a continuous picket post to keep an eye on Philadelphia throughout the Valley Forge encampment.
- Its strategic high ground was also utilized when General Lafayette retreated there during the Battle of Barren Hill.
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To see a list of upcoming Round Table events, where you can participate on Zoom, go to: https://amrevrt.org/virtual-round-table-events
Order a copy of Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment at Amazon.
To learn more about Author Sheilah Vance, check out her web site: https://sheilahvance.com/about-sheilah-vance
To participate live in future Zoom events, be sure to join as a member on Patreon, or sign up for my mailing list.
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