Brandywine Battlefield facts for kids
|
Brandywine Battlefield
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 6,100 acres (2,500 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000660 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | January 20, 1961 |
The Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site is a very important historical place in Pennsylvania, USA. It's a park near Chadds Ford that covers about 52 acres. This site is part of where the Battle of Brandywine happened on September 11, 1777, during the American Revolution.
The actual battle covered a much larger area, about 35,000 acres. However, the park mainly protects the area where the American army camped before the fight. The Battle of Brandywine was a big victory for the British army. It helped them clear a path to Philadelphia, which was the capital city for the American rebels at the time.
Brandywine Battlefield Park became a Pennsylvania State Park in 1949. Later, in 1961, it was named a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a place of great national importance. Another part of the battlefield, to the north, is now called "Battlefield of the Brandywine Park" or "Sandy Hollow Heritage Park."
In 2009, the park had to close for a short time because of money problems. But it reopened after 11 days thanks to an agreement between the state and local groups. Now, the "Friends of Brandywine Battlefield" help run the site with staff and volunteers.
Contents
Why was Brandywine Battlefield important?
Brandywine Battlefield Park is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, about 30 miles from Philadelphia. Its location was key to why a major battle happened here. The Brandywine Creek itself was a big natural barrier in the 1770s. It acted like a "moat," blocking the British army from reaching the Schuylkill River and the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
The British army wanted to take control of Philadelphia. They hoped that by capturing the city and forcing Congress to leave, they could end the war. The area around Brandywine Creek was also a crossroads, meaning many important roads met there. Controlling these roads was vital for both the British and American armies to move supplies and troops.
What happened during the Battle of Brandywine?
In September 1777, George Washington, who led the American troops, moved his army to the Chadds Ford area. He wanted to control the high ground and stop the British army, led by General Howe, from taking Philadelphia. Washington also wanted to avoid being trapped between the British army on land and the Royal Navy on the Delaware River. The British had landed in Maryland and were marching towards Philadelphia.
The British gathered their forces at Kennett Square. General Howe didn't plan a direct attack on the American defenses. Instead, he decided to use a clever trick called a flanking maneuver. This is where one part of the army attacks from the front, while another part secretly goes around the side to attack from behind.
About 5,000 British soldiers, led by Wilhelm von Knyphausen, marched to meet Washington's troops at Chadds Ford. Meanwhile, the main British force, led by Lord Charles Cornwallis, marched north to Jefferis' Ford. Washington had not guarded this ford. From there, Cornwallis's troops planned to march south and surprise the American army from the side.
The battle begins
September 11 started with a thick fog. This fog helped hide the British troops as they moved. Washington received confusing reports about where the British were going. He kept thinking the main attack would be at Chadds Ford. But around 2 p.m., the British appeared on the Americans' right side, exactly where they weren't expected.
General John Sullivan quickly tried to move his troops to face this new threat. But General Howe was slow to attack, which gave the Americans a little more time. They managed to position some of their men on high ground near Birmingham Meeting House. By 4 p.m., the British attacked and quickly pushed the American army back.
Sullivan then attacked a group of Hessian troops (German soldiers fighting for the British). This bought more time for most of the American soldiers to retreat. However, Sullivan's men faced heavy British fire and were forced to pull back.
American retreat
At this point, Washington and Greene arrived with more soldiers to help. They tried to hold off the British, who now controlled Meeting House Hill. The remaining American soldiers fought hard for almost an hour but eventually had to retreat. They also had to leave behind most of their cannon. This was because many of the artillery horses that pulled the cannons had been killed.
Meanwhile, Knyphausen attacked the weakened American center at Chadds Ford. He broke through the American lines, forcing General Wayne's division to retreat and leave behind most of their cannons. Another group of American soldiers, the Armstrong's militia, also retreated without even fighting.
Further north, Greene sent Colonel Weedon's troops to cover a road near Dilworth. Their job was to hold off the British long enough for the rest of the American army to escape. Darkness eventually stopped the British chase, allowing Weedon's force to retreat safely. The defeated Americans had to retreat to Chester. Most arrived by midnight, with others coming in until morning.
Aftermath of the battle
The battle cost the British about 89 soldiers killed and 487 wounded. They claimed to have killed 200 American soldiers, wounded 750, and captured over 400. They also destroyed or captured 11 American cannons.
Even though Howe won the battle, the Americans fought harder than he expected. This stopped him from completely destroying their army. The American soldiers still had good spirits, even after losing. They hoped to fight the British again another day.
Neither commander had a perfect battle. Washington made a big mistake by leaving his right side open, which almost led to disaster. Howe waited too long to attack the American right side. This showed he was still worried about losing too many soldiers, especially after the costly victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill two years earlier. Because of his delay, most of the American army was able to escape.
For the next few days, British and American forces moved around each other, with only small fights like the Paoli Massacre on September 20–21. The Continental Congress left Philadelphia, first going to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and then to York, Pennsylvania. Military supplies were moved out of the city to a safe place during Washington's retreat. On September 26, 1777, British forces marched into Philadelphia without anyone stopping them.
What can you see at the park today?
Brandywine Battlefield Park was a busy farming community before the battle. Quaker farmers were getting ready to harvest their crops and prepare for winter. These peaceful Quakers suddenly found themselves in the middle of a war. Much of their farmland, animals, and crops were destroyed.
American officers used the farmers' farmhouses as their headquarters before the battle. After the British won, their officers took over these homes. Today, these homes have been fixed up to look like they did in 1777, and you can visit them.
- The Benjamin Ring House is thought to have been headquarters for George Washington before the battle. Inside, you can see furniture from the Quaker style and learn about the battle and Washington's time there.
- The Gideon Gilpin House was once the home of a successful Quaker farmer. It served as a place for the Marquis de Lafayette to stay before the battle. He was brought back here when he was wounded. British soldiers looted the house after the battle.
Throughout the year, the park hosts special events. People dressed as Hessian soldiers, Quaker farmers, and British and American soldiers act out scenes from the past. Staff and volunteers offer daily guided tours of the park. They also lead hands-on activities, give talks, and host open houses.
Most of the battlefield is protected, but new buildings and towns are growing nearby. The park is safe because it is a National Historic Landmark District. This special protection was given by the United States Congress in 1997, 220 years after the battle.
Recent updates at the park
The Gideon Gilpin House has been carefully restored to look like it did in 1777. The Benjamin Ring House, used by General George Washington, was used until the 1930s. Sadly, young people accidentally started a fire that destroyed the home. In the 1950s, a new house was built to look like the original 1770s building.
The American Battlefield Trust and its partners have helped protect more of the battlefield. They have bought and preserved about 10.4 acres of this historic land.
Images for kids
-
Battle of Brandywine historical marker.
-
Map of the Battle of Brandywine.
-
The Benjamin Ring house at the Brandywine Battlefield Park, 2010.
-
The Gideon Gilpin house at the Brandywine Battlefield Park, 2021.
