Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; September 23, 1777

My Dear Mary,

I am in receipt of your letter which I Prize and am Encouraged that I am kindly remembered. At our last meeting, you asked that I Share Honestly news of the War, so it is in that Spirit that I tell you of our recent encounter with the Enemy at Brandywine Creek. Were it not war time, I could imagine us taking a Picnic to this pretty creek that winds lazily through the trees, but that is not how I shall picture it when recalling the details of our Battle.

We were deployed in mid-September to Chadd’s Ford and began construction of a lunette from logs and earth on which to place our cannons, the ford being the likely place in which to engage the Tories. I was much Grateful for the cool shade of the trees as the work was most arduous and the weather was unseasonably warm.

Quakers live all around this area, and although these Friends claim to be against warfare of all kind, their stance outside the Meetinghouse made it clear they were not Sympathetic with our Cause. Still, their womenfolk offered us fresh bread and butter at Noonday, and we were glad for it as we’d worked up quite a hunger in our labour.

We met General Howe’s forces on the morning of 11-September. Having been recently moved into Proctor’s Light Brigade, my own fighting began whilst the morning’s heavy fog made it impossible to see even those in our own Party. It had the opposite effect, however, on sound, and we spent our first hours surrounded by the eerie sound of Hessian movement around us accompanied by gunfire echoing in the mist. Near noon, we learned that another Enemy Division approached our right flank and by mid-afternoon our position was completely compromised; we had no choice but to Retreat, and under cover of Darkness made our way Safely into Chester.

Many of our Regiment was injured, but I am Happy to state that our morale remains High, despite our loss. I must also report, in the Spirit of True Honesty, that I have suffered two injuries in the battle, and now am recovering in the Goode care of the Moravians here at the Brethren’s House. I’m told that the Marquis of Layfayette is ensconced here as well; although I have not seen him, I am pleased to have such Distinguished Company in my restoration. I Beg you not to worry on my account as the injuries are not severe in their Nature: a musket ball grazed my left knee, after which it found its way to my right ankle. Surely, it was a thrifty soldier that fired on me, as even his ammunition made the most of its purchase. I expect to be Fully improved with little more than a limp to show for my injury, and soon will rejoin Captain Armstrong’s troops.

In Due time I hope to Return home in Peace & Enjoy the pleasure of your company. Until then, I Subscribe my Self your Most Devoted,

George McDowel

Part of what drives my family search…

is the need to make my ancestors real, not just a name bookended with dates and followed by a list of progeny. For me, that means trying to put myself in their shoes, and relive what they must have gone through.

George McDowell, my 4th Great Grandfather, fought in the Battle of Brandywine Continue reading “Weapons, Battle Tactics, and War Medicine”