Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-16

Gold = The Carnage at Birmiu CHAM
Meeting House About la Miles From
This City. ....-..
Yves; Chester Morning Republican.
A quaint story of the Battle of Bran
DIVINE as seen by the people Of the
vicinity was told by Joseph Townsend
about 40 years ago. A. the time of the
battle he was 81 years old and mem
Der of the congregation of Friends that
met in the old meeting house. Most OF
the inhabitants of the region were
Friends who could not take an active
part, believing it their duty to remain
at their dwellings and patiently submit
to whatever suffering might be their
lot, and trust their all to kind, pro-
tecting Providence. Birmingham Meet
ing House had for some days been oc-
cupied as hospital for the sick and
wounded who had been brought there
from the American camp on Red Clay
Creek.
On First Day the Friends assembled
as usual, expecting to hold their meet
ing, even If the building should be oc.
cupied afterward. But their request
could not be granted and they obtained
permission TO take the benches from the
house and place them under the trees
in front, where they seated themselves
in the quiet as far as possible, Officers
and workmen were moving about and
the wagons filled %ith wounded were
creaking in, yet the good Quakers sat
in their sombre drab under the trees
waiting for the spirit 10 move.
1--WE went 10 the house where the
officers were quartered and found them
full Of inquiries about the rebels, where
they were to be met with, and where
Mr.. Washington was to be found. The
officers aforesaid were replied to by my
brother William, who modestly and
with some spirit told them that il they
would have patience for short time lie
expected they would meet with Gen.
Washington and his forces. They asked
what sort of a man Mr.. Washington
was. My brother had knowledge Of
him by being with him at his quarte.s
at Chadd's Ford, and replied that he
was stately, well-proportioned, fine
looking man, of great ability, active vim
and resolute, and considered good
man. To this one of them answered
that he might be a good man, but he
was most damnably misled to take up
arms against his sovereign.
The house was elevated sothat we
had full view Of the army as they
went along, and my brother asked ne
10 step to the door to see General Lord
CORVALLIS passing by. He was on
horseback, appeared tall, and sat very
erect Rich scarlet clothing, brocaded
with gold lace, and epaulets made a
rich and martial appearance. The off.
GERS seemed TO be of the first rank,
short, portly men, well dressed, and
genteel, and looked as though not used
10 hardships. Their skins were a:
white and delicate as IS customary fol
females brought up in large cities and
towns. The advance guards were Ger.
man troops with boards on their uppeI
lips, which was novelty To lis. We
walked u the upper fence between
lands of Amos Davis and Uncle Daniel
Davis, and had grand view of the
enemy advancing and over and down
the south side Of Osborn hill. Suddenly
there was a roar of musketry, for when
the advance guard reached tic road
they We're fired on by company oil
| Americans In the orchard north oil
Samuel Jones brick house. Tie attack
was returned by the Hessians, who
stepped up the bank and made the
fence breastwork. Several companie.
of soldiers were ordered to the field
and German officer on horseback
i ordered the fence to be taken down and
tiourishing d drawn sword over my
head. .....
The principal officers of the British
army and their aids were on horseback
near by in consultation. Gen. Howe wa:
mounted on large English horse much
reduced i'll flesh from being confined SC
long on the fleet. The general was
large portly man of coarse features, and
appeared TO have lost his teeth, as hi,
mouth had fallen in. / viewed hin
close at hand on horseback and noticed
his large legs and boots with flourishint
spurs. When the American forces came
out into view in linc OF battle, Howe
said to one Of his officers, Those damned
rebels form we'll
"While we remained on 0!born Hill
we saw the engagements OF both armies
The fields IL front of us contained grea
heaps OF blankets and baggage, throw.
together to relieve the men for action
After the battle we went over the lielC
and took u view Of the dead an,
wounded, doing what we could for tn
living. The scene was awful to behold
The doors OF tie meeting house wer
carried off for shutters and the hous
filled with British wounded instead o
Americans, Is had been intended. w
helped remove the wounded Officers
who were lirst attended to. When
reached home my sister chided me an
said that for her part she had no wis
to see one person in the British army.
knew not what might be the conse
quences OF our having shown such
familiarity with the enemies of on
country and which the American force
were contanding against.
when the British reached Philade
pnia on the 10Th, the ground at BIZ
mlngham was left in desolate cond
ton, scene Of destruction and vast,
Few inhabitants had remained, an
those returning called in their neighboI
TO help rebury the dead, whom tn
heavy rains had washed from the
shallow graves. The horror and d.
struction Of human beings was theI
seen in its awful blackness. Gait
were destroyed, houses taken away an
burned and furniture used for firewoot
The Friends purified and cleansed Ii
meeting house and services were bel
there on the next First Day"
; The Oldest Oak in Great Britain,
DR.. A. j. Harrison, in the currer
number of the NdturuLists' ,I2ur,.aL an,