The Chadds Ford Historical Society is again hosting a battle reenactment in honor of the Battle of Brandywine. As has been the case in recent years, it’s a scaled-down version and is in conjunction with what used to be Chadds Ford days. The event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15.
Reenactments are scheduled to take place twice a day on both days and reenactors will give demonstrations of various 18th century military drills. Youngsters will be able to learn some of those drills and march with the soldiers.
There will also be colonial crafters demonstrating their historical skills, as well as a series of lectures about the battle and colonial life.
The Sept. 11, 1777, battle was the largest single-day land battle of the War of Independence, with an estimated 30,000 soldiers engaged. Most of the battle took place in Birmingham Township, but there was some skirmishing in Chadds Ford.
Troops led by Wilhelm von Knyphausen engaged Gen. George Washington’s army in Chadds Ford, but that was a feint. The main body of British forces under Gen. Charles Cornwallis outflanked Washington’s men by circling them and attacking from the north.
While the battle was a tactical loss for Washington and his forces, it took enough of a toll on the British troops so they were delayed for five days on their way to Philadelphia, giving members of the Continental Congress a chance to flee the city and avoid capture.
The Battle of Chadds Ford will be held at the Historical Society’s property at 1736 Creek Road in Chadds Ford. On Saturday, Sept. 14, the grounds will be open from 1o0 a.m. to 5 p.m., then 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.15. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for youth 7-17. It’s free for CFHS members, and youth 6 and under. Parking is also free.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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