Evening journal., 1915-08-10
TO Observe THE
BRANDYWINE BATTLE
Exercises viii Be Held on
September II by His
torical Societies
PRESIDENT WILL
SEND A LETTER

In commemoration Of that historic
day 13s years ago. when a compare
lively small group of American pat
riots fought valiantly, though vainly,
al the Battle of the Brandywine to
defect the march of the British and
Hessian troops upon Philadelphia, the
Historic Societies of Chester and Del
aware counties Pa acting under the
auspices of the Pennsylvania Histori-
cal Commission. will hold, on Septem-
Der IL, the anniversary of the conflict,
dedicatory services on the famed
field and with markers indicate how
and where the battle ragged.
Diminutive, inconseQuential even
though the engagement may now seem
70 the chroniclers Of the worlds
greatest battles by contrast with the
mighty armies that now from day
TO day are ptted against each other
over hundreds of miles OF front, in
Europe. the Battle of the Brandywine
was one of great significance at the
time, for it was preliminary to the
British occupation of Philadelphia
The exercises will have an interna-
tional tinge. too, ringing again {"
light and emphasizing as they will
the friendliness between this country
and France ana the service render
ed to America by Lafayette the brave
and illustrious marquis. II was dur
ing that engagement that Lafayette
was wounded. In view of the import
ant part that Lafayette toDk, the
French ambassador, Jean J. Jusser-
and will be one of the speakers at
the exercises.
Officials to Participate.
Appropriate TO the celebration, a
letter from President Wilson will be
read. Brigadier General Tasker
Howard Bliss, U. S A.. OF the General
STAFF who is a resident OF Rosemont
will speak on the Battle Of Bran
DIVINE Historically and Militarily
Considered Among the prominent
Chester and Delaware countians who
will participate in the ceremonies are
State Senator William c. Sproul
chairman Of the Pennsylvania Histor-
lcal Commission; Judge William b
Broomall. DR.. George NJ. Phillips. the
Rev. Phillip H. Mowry Professor
Smith Burnham and Judge Isaac
johnson. An ode written for the oc-
oasion will be recited by Professor
Russell Hayes, OF Swarthmore Col
lege, known as the poet of the Bran
DIVINE" Henry Graham Ashmead. a
local historian. of Chester. is head
of the committee of ARRANGEMENTS OF
Delaware county. The memorial ex-
ercises will be held at o'clock in
the afternoon at the Birmingban
Meeting House
1t is planned to erect suitable mark
ers showing the advance OF the Brit
ish troops under Howe and Cornwall
Lis; that of the Hessians under Knyp
hausen; that of the Continental Arm,
under Washington to the field Of bat
tie; Chadds. Trimble's. LETTERS anC
Fyle's Fords, where the enemy cross
90 the Brandywine and the point.
where the clash of arms occurred
Chadds Ford, Birmingham Friends
Meeting House and Dilworthtown
where Green halted the pursuing
enemy; Howe's headquarters and TIE
place where young Lafayette was
wounded Five years ago tablets
we're placed at the Washington head.
quarters which are occupied bV
Christian Sanderson. and at the Laf
ayette headquarters. where an appro
pirate celebration was held.
Reports Caused Failure.
Failure of the Continental Scout:
to give accurate reports Of the ad
vance of the enemy. as il is recorded
prevented Washington from strikins
telling blow at the battle Of Bran
DIVINE, because conflicting account
were carried TO him. Washington
himself with Lafayette. prior TO tn,
battle. rode their horses in front o
an advance detail of the enemy. which
was hidden, and only the humanity o
MAJOR Ferguson. a British officer
saved their lives. Major Ferguson
did not know who the two men wer
examining the British lines but h
gave orders to two sharpshooters L
creep upon them and shoot them. but
teeling ashamed of his order he coun
ermanded it. II was later that h
earned their identity.
The British gained an early advan
tage on the day of the battle whe
CORVALLIS led his troops across til
brandywine and surprised Washing
ION. who was not apprised of thei
presence until Squire Cheyney. {
Thornbury, rode into camp with h
startling news. The Continental force
Of Sullivan and Sterling were quick
" driven from their position Z
Birmingham Meeting House befor
Washington and Green could rem