Site of the Paoli Massacre
20 September 1777
These Memorial Grounds commemorate the engagement in the Revolutionary War known as the Paoli Massacre, an attack by the British Army on American troops, that took place near this spot toward midnight of September 20, 1777. About 150 American soldiers were killed or wounded in this action in which the British used only bayonets. 53 of the Americans were buried here in a common grave, now surrounded by stone walls and capped with a monument erected in 1817.
In a move to capture Philadelphia, Lt. General Sir William Howe sailed from New York in July 1777 and landed his British Army at the mouth of the Elk River on the Chesapeake Bay, August 25, 1777. General George Washington attempted to stop the British at the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, but was defeated. Following the September 15th skirmish known locally as the “Battle of the Clouds,” washed out by a heavy rainstorm, the British camped several days in Tredyffrin, a few miles north of here. Brig. General Anthony Wayne, whose home was nearby, was ordered to place his Pennsylvania Line behind the enemy in order to harass Howe’s troops when they should attempt to cross the ford of the Schuylkill River. Wayne hid out here, 2 miles southwest of the “Paoli Tavern” and 1 mile south of the “Admiral Warren,” both on the Philadelphia to Lancaster road.
On the night of September 20, Howe dispatched Maj. General Charles Grey to dispose of Wayne’s forces so that he might proceed to cross the river without danger of rearguard action.
The well planned and skillfully executed attack upon the encampment thoroughly routed and dispersed Wayne’s command. Because of vicious lies and rumors that soon circulated, Wayne demanded and received a courtmartial to determine his guilt. A general order dated Nov. 1, 1777 unanimously acquitted him of all charges and further stated that Wayne acted as a brave and vigilant officer.
The so-called Paoli Massacre was a low point in the history of our war for independence, but “Remember Paoli” became a rallying slogan during the remainder of the war.
Marker is on Monument Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
