Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-05


properly formed with an officer at the
head of every platoon, and after wheel
ing to the right, We remained under
arms until o'clock. Then the alarms
guns were fired and tho whole army
drawn Up in line of battle, on the east
side of Red Clay Creek, with Geu.
Greene's division to the right. Here
we remained for sumo time, when Gen.
Weedon's brigade (of which my regi-
ment was partl was detached to the
front to bring on the attack. We crossed
the creek and marched about a league
to an eminenoe near Mr.. MoOannon 8
meeting house, and there awaited the
approach Of the enemy, who were
within half mile of US. They, how
ever, encamped, which questioned US to
remain under arms all night, the SEN
tries keeping no constant fire. One
OF our officers on picket deserted his
post and was Immediately arrested.
"September 8. AT a. m. we re
ceiyed marching orders and proceeded
L. N. Z. to the Crooked Billet, on
the great road from Wilmington to Ian
caster thence through Kennett Town
ship, Chester county, crossed the Bran
| dywine and turning S. E., encamped in
the township of Birmingham, being
extremely fatigued for want of rest and
severe marching"
| have come across an interesting
description of the location of the
American army while it was encamped
in Delaware, written by Daniel Byrnes
of Dolyestown, Pa, in 1912. Daniel
Byrnes was son of Caleb Byrnes, who
about 1773 became one of the oN Ders of
the Red Clay Greek near Stanton, and
the story had evidently been handed
down from father to son, the father
having lived at Red Clay Creek mill
during the encampment.
'Soon after father and mother settled
at this place there came some try ing
times. A few days previous to the
Battle OF Brandywine, General Wash.
ington, with all his American army
we're encamped on the rising ground
before our door and round to White
Clay Creek Bridge and farther west
ward; the cannon were placed on this
rise OF ground for half mile as thick as
they could stand. General Washington s
headquarters was at William Marshall's g
about the centre of his army (which is
near the present westinghouse in Stan
ton. The British army had landed
below Elkton and was coming up the
post road towards Christiana bridge,
and was hourly expected to appear in
the front of the American army, about
mile and half distant from them.
Uncle Daniels home and mill was
right on the road about three-fourths
of a mile south of the American army,
what a'situation his'and fathers family
were in, at this juncture the battle
was eXpeoted to commence every hour.
The officers requested father to remove
the family for they said the house
would he shot down Or he torn to pieces
with the cannon balls. Many families
removed their goods up some miles into
the country. Uncle Daniel and our
family remained. and | have heard my
mother say that she intended when the
battle began to take US children down
into the cellar under large arch which
was under the chimney. When the
British army arrived at Ohristiana
bridge, three miles south OF us, they
then left the road and went up north,
intending to 90 around the American
army six miles above. Information was
soon given to General Washington of
this, and next morning by daylight rhe
whole American army was gone; they
took the road by the BrandywineSprings
and arrived at Chadd's ord before the
British, where q battle took place and
we will leave them. "
Another interesting episode that
touches this interesting period L ran
across some years ago in looking up the
data for biographical sketch of the
Rev. Thomas Read, one of the early
pastors at the old Drawers Meeting
House, near Odessa. 1t is as follows
'On the 25th of August, l77T, the
British army embarked at Elk Ferry.
Gen. Washington was encamped near
Stanton, about six miles below viii.
mington. A smart skirmish at Cooch Is
Bridge between the outposts and
within five miles of Washington's en-
campment, gave the first intimation of
the dangerous proximity of the enemy.
To give battle in such position with
our law troops against disciplined
veterans, would prove ruinous; to re-
treat by the high road, with a well ap-
pointed and regular army hanging on
the rear might prove more disastrous
than pitched battle, Every rrecau-
tion therefore was MADE for departure
but how to retreat was the great que5-
ticu and demanded speedy solution.
The geographical information OF the
neighbors did not extend beyond the
limits of thu contiguous farms. and the
roads to the nearest markets; and no
information could be obtained. Be-
tween IL and II o'clock ut night coun
Gil OF war was called, aud while the
greatest anxiety prevailed. Col. Duff, a
gallant officer, then acting as one of
Washingtou's staff, entered the room
and exclaimed: Il know the man that
can extricate us. Mount and bring
without moments delay, was the
order, and Immediately the colonel was
on his way to execute it. After travel
ing five miles he reached the house OF
MIR. Reed at IL O'Clock aG night, reused
him from his bed, and in 10 minutes
his horse was at the door and he IN the
saddle, and both under whip and spur
for the camp. In half an hour they had
gone over the whole distance, notwith-
standing an exceedingly bad road, and
Mr.. Reed was introduced to Washing
tou in his tent. He mapped out for the
general, within small space, the whole
adjacent country, and all the cross ano
by-roads accurately marked, ana by
this means the general effected safe
rstreat TO the Brandy wine. ?"
Historians have given but little at.
tention to the engagement that took
plaos at Cooch's Bridge September Sd,
1777, due largely to the fact that the
important engagement at Braudywine
occurred only a week later, and the
participants in the engagement in thif
place either failed to record in detail
the occurrences Of the day or else such
recorded occurrences have been lost oi
misaid and up to this time do moi
seem to have seen the light Of day.
u