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The History
The Battle In Short (from Encylopedia.com)Battle of the Brandywine in the American Revolution, fought Sept. 11, 1777, along Brandywine Creek. The creek, formed by two small branches in SE Pennsylvania, flows southeast to join, near Wilmington, Del., the Christina River, which empties into the Delaware. The British under Sir William Howe were advancing on Philadelphia from Elkton, Md., and General Washington, realizing that they would cross the stream, placed most of his army at Chadds Ford. Howe sent General Wilhelm Knyphausen to feint an attack at Chadds Ford, while he himself, with General Cornwallis, struck the American right flank, where Gen. John Sullivan could not check the attack. Washington ordered a retreat to Chester, Pa. The British continued their advance and took Philadelphia (Sept. 27, 1777).
The Battle's Significance (from Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark by Kathleen C. Wandersee)The Battle of Brandywine was the largest and one of the bloodiest battles fought in the Revolutionary War. Lasting only one day, September 11, 1777, it was to affect the course of the War and the lives of the inhabitants of the Brandywine Valley for years afterward. About 26,000 soldiers actively fought on that hot day, with total losses estimated at 2,000 for the British and 1,200 for the Continentals. Although technically a loss for the Americans, the determination and ferocity shown by the Continental troops demonstrated that this War could be waged and won by the rebellious colonists. Today, much of the bloodied land is covered by housing developments, yet luckily (See below) some of the most critical parcels still remain open, conveying the story of the Battle. Beneath these lands lie the bodies of the fallen from both sides. This Battle was so significant to the history of the United States that in 1961 the Department of Interior had the 10 square mile area where the Battle was fought declared a National Historic Landmark. The designation of National Historic Landmark means that it is among the crème de la crème of historic sites, a level of significance higher than that of the National Register of Historic Places.
Over the years, residents and the Brandywine Conservancy, which owns and operates the Brandywine River Museum and has protected the Brandywine Valley from development, have spent millions of dollars to protect the Brandywine Battlefield. There was no luck involved. See the news release below from the successful 2007 campaign to protect the last parcel - the hole in the donut - from development.
Protection of Brandywine Battlefield Goes Cross Country
April 2007 CHADDS FORD, PA - Diane Cook lives 2,700 miles from the Brandywine Battlefield, but the California resident is passionate about saving this major landmark in American history from suburban sprawl. "I grew up going to Birmingham Friends Meeting, and my father and I go together whenever I am in the area," says Ms. Cook. "I've always looked out across those fields and thought, 'Isn't it lovely that the area is still open and green and there are no houses.'" Ms. Cook is one of many people who have rallied to preserve the battleground where thousands of American patriots died on September 11, 1777. To date, the Brandywine Conservancy has raised $8 million towards a goal of $10 million to purchase and endow one of the few remaining unprotected parcels within the Brandywine Battlefield National Landmark. Although Landmark status recognizes a site's historical importance, it does not prevent landowners from altering or developing their properties. Four of the five most important properties within the Landmark have been permanently protected through conservation easements and other measures. The fifth property - the hole in the donut - is the focus of current efforts. In order to protect this important property in the middle of preserved lands, your help is essential.
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