Jim Christ
Jim Christ, President of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund, discusses the Battle of Paoli, sometimes called “The Paoli Massacre,” which unfolded at midnight on September 20–21, 1777 and was the 9th deadliest battle of the American Revolutionary War. He will also discuss what happened after the battle was over, and why War of 1812 veterans built the 2nd oldest Revolutionary War monument in the United States.
[Recorded August 20, 2020.]
History Camp Philadelphia 2020 (postponed) Session Description
“Remember Paoli”—The Nation’s First Battle Cry
“Remember Paoli”, it is the nation’s first battle cry and was born of the battle that was fought in Malvern, PA on night of September 20th, 1777. Learn about how British General Charles “No Flint” Grey lead around 2,000 men at night into the Great Valley to surprise over 2000 of General Anthony Wayne’s men and 2100 Maryland Militia under General William Smallwood. The ninth bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War left Philadelphia open to British occupation, and also left a lasting impact in the local community. In 1817 the second oldest War Memorial was dedicated and is still remembered today with the Malvern Memorial Parade. Let’s explore why this battle is called the “Paoli Massacre”, as well as common myths such as soldiers being asleep during the attack. General Anthony Wayne would get his reputation back during the Battle of Stony Point, NY in which he used lessons learned from the Paoli Battle to earn a complete victory and international acclaim.