Bird in Hand Skirmish

On February 19, 1778, 16 Union Infrantrymen were guarding a uniform manufacturing facility in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The Bird in Hand Tavern was being used by a group of Tailors to make uniforms for the soldiers encamped at Valley Forge. About noon on the 19th, 40 armed loyalists assaulted the area and the tavern. They killed 5 soldiers, wounded another 4, and captured 11 people including the tailors. One of those captured was Major Francis Murray. The Union Army also lost approximately 2000 yards of material.