On September 11th 1777 General Howe's British Regulars engaged
George Washington's army at Brandywine Creek, PA.
A fierce battle occurred and hand to hand combat was common. By
nightfall, Washington was forced to withdraw. The British had won
the day.
It is estimated that the British lost 89 killed and 488 wounded
although many say these numbers were higher.
The Americans lost over 200 killed and 500 wounded with 400
captured.
Many of these wounded were transported to distant field
hospitals. This trip took the better part of two days by wagon.
Taking into account the average distances that wagons could go in
one day versus the average distance a modern ambulance can drive in
a day and this roughly equals a soldier being injured in Brandyine
today and being driven to FLORIDA! These wounded patriots endured a
long and difficult trip and many died alone and far from home and
even their comrades.
"I remember my Grandfather [Moses] tell of his father [Robert],
who went through those experiences, saying that at the battle of
the Brandywine the river ran red with the blood of the slain. We
can believe that when we remember that the Brandwine was not such a
river as the Delaware or the Ohio, but one that could be waded at
low water seasons."
This virtual cache will take you to two memorials to those who
died in these hospitals in Lancaster County ( injured troops were
also taken elsewhere including Middletown ). From a 1947 history of
the town that site#1 is in: "Another hotel, the Continental House,
stood on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows Hall. This hotel
had back of it a building which was used as bar- racks for a local
group of militiamen who were being trained for defense during the
early part of the Revolution. It was this building which was used
as a hospital for wounded soldiers who were brought here after the
battle of Brandywine, which was fought September 11, 1777. The
building in which the soldiers were hospitalized was torn down
about the year 1850. A score or more of these soldiers died of
their wounds and were buried in the local cemetery"
To gain credit for this cache you must visit both memorials.
SITE#1 ( the one listed above ) This monument honors warriors
from three wars: American Revolution ( Soldier of Independence ),
Civil War ( Soldier of Union ) and WWI. The Soldier of ___________.
The answer to Part one is what fills in the blank. While you are
here you might want to look around this graveyard - there are many
interesting things to view.
SITE#2 N40deg 10.956 W76deg 11.485 Who is acknowledged on the
monument for their " unselfish devotion in administering to the
wants and comforts of these brave heroes"??
Please DO NOT post these answers on the webpage. This is on the
honor system so your integrity is what will guide you to both
memorials.
For more information on the Battle of Brandywine visit:
http://www.wtj.com/articles/brandywine/
While you are here you might want to score a cache under the
HISTORICAL COVERED BRIDGES cache. Lancaster County has 28 covered
bridges. I claim ERB'S in Warwick Twp!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?id=13942
Sincerely, PULASKI
