Traversing the Red Clay Valley

During the nighttime of Sept. 9/10, 1777, before the Battle of Brandywine, more than 8,000 Crown Forces commanded by Generals Howe and Cornwallis marched toward Kennett Square from the area of Hockessin, Delaware. Using portions of Chandler Mill Road and farm lanes, the column spent a difficult night negotiating the rugged Red Clay Creek terrain. They forded Red Clay Creek a short distance from here. Struggling with darkness and poor roads, foraging and looting as they went, the column halted in the area around midnight and resumed their march at daybreak.

Pennsylvania · United States