Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-01-04
THE DAYS OF rs.
The Brandywine Battle Ground
A Rocent Visit to the Field.

A few mornings ago, little party from our
city made quick time through the clear frosty
air and glorious moonlight to the Reading depot (;
the object Of our early rising being nothing
more dangerous to the public peace than the
study Of an interesting chapter Of history on the
ground where the events occurred. We took the
$3.50 train to Chndd's Ford and spent the day in
Identifying and visiting various places of interest
connected with the engagements OF Sept. 1lth,
1777, known as the battle OF the Brandywine, Of
which we venture brief sketch.
The first points to be noted are the old ford
tust above the present wagon bridge, and Gen
Wayne's position around Chadds house, about
one-third OF mile northeast Of the bridge, on
the Downingtown road. The house, a square
stone structure, still remains and is occupied as
a dwelling by one Morris 0'Neal. From this
point Wayne carried on an artillery duel for
some hours with Knyphausen, whose Hessian
batteries were planted upon the heights ON the
opposite side OF the river the evidences OF which
are still seen in the numerous cannon balls and
grape shot that have been ploughed up in the
fields upon both sides Of the river, some of which
are preserved at almost every farm house in the
vicinity while hundreds have been given to tour
lists visiting the spot.
The purpose Of Knyphausen at the ford was to
deceive Washington by pretense of crossing at
that point, while CORVALLIS adroitly swept
northward from Kennett Square, passed the
upper fords (Buiiington's and JeffriesO and
came down mcst unexpectedly upon Gen. Sulli-
vans division OF the American army, at the old
Birmingham Westinghouse, which lies about
four miles north Of Chadd's Ford, and some'two
miles back from the river and toward this latter
place we now briskly directed our steps, for the
morning OF our visit was decidedly cold and the
roads solid. Our way northward lay through a
fertile region beautifully undulating and afford
ing admirable positions Of defence, well as of
unobserved approach or retreat, features of
which both the contending armies skillfully
availed themselves upon the eventful day which
has made the region one Of historical interest.
Upon our way we met gentleman, Mr.. Vim. B.
Baldwin, who supplemented our little map with
much detailed information of the region we we're
proposing to visit. He first called with us upon
Abram Huey, an old resident, who was upon the
ground when Lafayette revisited it in 1924 and
heard him designate the locality where he was
wounded. When Sullivan was defeated by Corn
wallis at the Meeting house, his troops fled in
confusion towards Dworthtown, and Lafayette
rushing forward with his usual spirit to check
the hight, received ball through the leg and
was with difficulty conveyed from the field. The
locality is in a field now owned by Mr.. John
Bennett, about half mile Southeast OF the Meet
ing house, just at the end OF little grove.
Further on, the fugitiyes were met by General
Greene, who had been hastily dispatched from
Ohadd's Ford to reinforce them and who checked
the pursuit and maintained his ground in 4 de-
file about a mile South Of the meeting house,
until night put an end to the conflict.
us to the house of Mr. Hiram Kipe who gave us
further information, ,refreshedua with good cheer,
and presented, after declining to sell, a cannon
ball and grape shot, relics OF the BATTLE to the
irving Literary Society, (of Taylor q Jackson's
Academy.
From Mr.. Kipes, Mr.. Baldwin went with us to
the Westinghouse which, with a modern slate
roof, is still in good state Of preservation, being
still used by the Friends as a regular place of
worship. Ii is built of the green sefpentine
Stone nOmmOnly in bil
Gen. Sulliyan's position was upon the hillsides
around tho huuse ana In the adjoining cemetery
the North wall Of which served as breastwork
as the British came down by way OF Osborn's
hill. After the battle many Of the wounded were
carried into the Westinghouse, and sacrilegious
tourists have cut the floor in several places where
there are stains, said to be from Revo utionary
blood. Parting here with our kind informant,
we returned to the ford by way of Diworthtown,
visiting several places of interest upon our way.
The day after the battle, Washington having re-
treated in the direction Of Philadelphia, General
Howe established his headquarters at a large
dwelling about one mile South OF Dilworthtown,
then occupied by Israel Gilpin. now the pro-
perty and residence Of Mr.. Elias Baker to whom
we are indebted for kind attentions.
Half mile east OF the ford, near the line Of
the Baltimore Central railroad, stands a large
stone house occupied by Washington as his head
quarters the night before and during the batto.
1t was then the dwelling Of Quaker named Ben
1amin Ring, and is now occupied by Mr. John II.
walters. East OF this il an unoccupied dwelling
known as "Lafayette's Head Quarters" but it is
more probable that Lafayette, who had no sep
arate command at that time, was with Washing
ton. Both these houses are now the property Of
Mr.. Joseph o. Turner, who resides nthe vicinity.
Returning to the ford at half-past two we
obtained an excellent dinner at short notice at
the little "Chadd's Ford Inn," and after come
further observations in that vicinity, we crossed
to the west side of the river. 1t was here that
the battle or rather series of battles commenced,
the Americans under General Maxwell having
been driven across the ford after some very hard
fighting in the early part OF the day. Knyphau-
sens batteries We're planted on the heights
overlooking the ford upon the present lands Of
Brinton King and Caleb b. Ring, at whose resi-
dence we were most Hospitality entertained and
shown many relics Of the battle. We here ended
our days march and awaited the7 25 train home
ward, the trip throughout having been one Of
rare interest and enjoyment.
The kindness Of every person Of whom we, as
entire strangers asked information is most grate-
fully remembered
For careful revision OF our notes, after our
trip, we are much indebted to MIR. Chalkey Har-
yey OF Chadd's Ford, an old resident whose
knowledge OF the locality and OF the details of
the battle is very accurate, and we trust that our
rambling aketoh, though insnmplsta, may at least
be found true to history as far as it goes