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In November of 1777 the British were in control of Philadelphia but did not have control of the river approaches or Fort Mifflin or Fort Mercer, and could not bring supplies upriver. In order to get supplies the British has to forage, or send wagons down to the fleet at Chester, which made them vulnerable to the American raiding parties. One such party of about 28 Americans was stationed at the Blue Bell on the Darby Road. When Fort Mifflin finally fell after a vallient defense, Lord Cornwallis sent some 2500 troops down the Darby Road to Chester. Accounts vary but one account says that when the British were passing the Blue Bell, a shot was fired from an upstairs window. The British rushed into the building and bayonetted 5 Americans on the stairs and took the remainder prisoners. We recently were sent information which could relate to that account: |
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