In the spring of 1778 a succession of detachments ranged the country for many miles round Philadelphia, and opened communications for bringing in supplies of provision, in which service the SEVENTEENTH were actively employed. The American troops were encamped in Valley Forge, and Captain Lord Cathcart, of the SEVENTEENTH, being sent out with twenty-five men to reconnoitre the enemy's position in the direction of White-marsh, ascertained that a patrole of ten American soldiers had taken possession of a house on the road leading to that place. The men of the SEVENTEENTH surrounded the house, and his lordship summoned the Americans to surrender; but they had barricaded the doors and windows, and refused to obey the summons. A few men of the SEVENTEENTH dismounted, sent some shots through the door, and approached the house to try the effect of cold steel, when the Americans begged for quarter, and were taken prisoners to Philadelphia. This excursion of twenty-eight miles was performed without a halt. On the evening of the 3rd of May a small detachment of the regiment left Philadelphia to co-operate with the troops destined to drive nine hundred Americans, under Brigadier-General Lacy, from their post at _Crooked Billet_. The Americans retreated, but were overtaken, attacked, and one hundred and fifty men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners; their baggage was also captured, and sold for the benefit of the troops employed in this service. Three thousand Americans, under the Marquis de la Fayette, took post on _Barren Hill_, seven miles in advance of General Washington's camp, and a detachment of the regiment formed part of the force sent against this portion of the American army. On the morning of the 21st of May, as the British approached, the Marquis de la Fayette made a precipitate retreat; but his rear was overtaken by the dragoons, and some execution done.