Malvern in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Paoli Battlefield
— Placed on the National Register of Historical Places ~ 1997 —
Late on September 18th, Washington sent General Anthony Wayne with 2200 men, mostly Pennsylvanians, to get behind Howe’s army of 15,000 and strike the British supply wagons as they crossed the river. Wayne arrived at the Paoli Tavern early on September 19th, only two miles behind the British camp, but quickly withdrew to this secluded spot above the Warren Tavern, screened by woods. Wayne believed that his presence here was unknown, but intercepted messages made the British aware of his plans. Wayne’s troops spent the night of September 19 and all of September 20 encamped in this field, awaiting reinforcements. That night, British forces using bayonets and sabers attacked this camp with such ferocity that “Remember Paoli!” became a rallying cry for Pennsylvania’s soldiers.
Through the initiative of Malvern Preparatory School, and the efforts of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund, this 40-acre historic site was preserved in 1999 with the cooperation of schoolchildren, local citizens, community leaders, historical organizations, county, state, and national government leaders, and generous grants from:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development
Chester County Heritage Park and Open Space Municipal Grant Program,
Commissioners of Chester County, Pennsylvania
The Borough of Malvern
The Battlefield was dedicated on September 21, 2002, the 225th anniversary of the battle, and has been preserved in its unchanged original form: woodland and farm fields.
Erected 2002.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1790.
Location. 40° 1.797′ N, 75° 31.095′ W. Marker is in Malvern, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. Marker is on Monument Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The slogan “Remember Paoli!” appears multiple times in the background of the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Malvern PA 19355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battlefield Site Map (a few steps from this marker); “A Dreadful scene of havock” (within shouting distance of this marker); This Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Paoli Massacre Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); "We bury’d our Dead next day in the field of Battle, All kill’d by the sword and Bayonet." (within shouting distance of this marker); General Wayne’s Encampment (within shouting distance of this marker); "…The most dreadful scene I have ever beheld." (within shouting distance of this marker); “Remember Paoli!” (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Malvern.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This series of markers follow the walking trail of the Paoli Battlefield.
Also see . . .
1. Background to the Battle of Paoli. Paoli Battlefield website. (Submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Paoli (Massacre) September 21, 1777 at Malvern, Pennsylvania. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. The Battle of Paoli also known as the Paoli Massacre. A British perspective of the battle from BritishBattles.com (Submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
4. Battle of Paoli - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 5, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,835 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on January 5, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on May 12, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.