On December 11, 1777, General George Washington broke camp and intended to cross the Schuylkill at Matson’s Ford. On December 13, 1777, as Washington and his troops were making their way to a site for their winter encampment, they saw lights burning on the west side of the Schuylkill River.
Making their way across the river, they came to Christ Church in Swedesburg. At the time, the church was holding a festival
for the feast of St. Lucia, and Washington and his officers were welcomed into the church for the evening. After the service, Washington asked the men of the church to join his effort and eight volunteers joined Washington’s army.
The Gulf Hills were considered as a site for the Continental Army to pass the winter of 1777–1778. From the older English meaning of gulf, as its name implied, the Gulf was a deep abyss or chasm. Washington considered the heights on both sides of the road leading from the river to the Gulf, which might serve as a site for the winter encampment. On the morning of the 13th, he marched to the Gulf. Had Valley Forge been definitely decided upon for winter quarters at this time, then the march to Gulf Hills was apparently without purpose. However, the strategic value of the Gulf Hills appealed strongly to Washington. These heights stretched from the Schuylkill River at Matson’s Ford for miles into the interior of the country. They offered the first considerable barrier to an approach by the enemy from Philadelphia. Moreover, they commanded the Matson’s Ford and the Swedes’ Ford at which points the army could go back across the river, if necessary. It was evidently only after careful deliberation for many days that the final decision was made to retreat to the next great range of hills, the hills of Valley Forge, to establish permanent winter quarters.
SOCIETY NOTE: On Tuesday, December 13, Christ Church will be celebrating their annual Saint Lucia Fest, A Patriot’s Lucia, at 7:00 pm.
Come celebrate with church members and learn a little more about one of the most historic places in Montgomery County. The Christmas Celebration will be followed by a lite fare refreshment gathering in the Church Hall.