Birmingham Township near West Chester in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sandy Hollow

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

1. Sandy Hollow Marker

Inscription.

Sandy Hollow. . The Battle of Brandywine involved 28,000 soldiers in combat and was the largest and longest battle of the American Revolution.. . After marching 17 miles in 9 hours from Kennett Square, Gen. Howe’s army took a break for tea, to rest and refresh in the vicinity of Osbourne Hill. This allowed Gen. Washington to reposition many of his troops from the eastern side of the Brandywine Creek to form a defensive line near the Birmingham Meeting., ★ You are positioned in the vicinity of Stephen’s regiment. Imagine columns of redcoats, across a half mile, descending the south side of Osbourne Hill in the distance; battalion flags flying; drums beating. -----------------------------------------. 5pm, Sandy Hollow: The Second American Defense, . The first line of Colonial defense broke in confusion under heavy fire. The most significant fighting took place along Birmingham and Wylie Roads in the vicinity of the Birmingham Meeting and what is now Sandy Hollow Heritage Park., . The Continental Army fought valiantly, reforming on high ground in a wavering but often amazingly courageous defense. It was “disputed muzzle to muzzle”. The line gave way five times, reforming and pushed farther back., . The high ground of Sandy Hollow Heritage Park marks the “sunset stand” as slowly the Colonials were driven back by overwhelming forces and firepower, dusk was closing in, ammunition was low, and many of the three and four pounder cannons had been lost., . Both sides were exhausted by long marches and a nearly two-hour battle. The Continental left flank finally gave way and Greene’s men held the Sandy Hollow area, while a fighting retreat began toward Dilworthtown., . There were substantial casualties. Many of the dead on both sides were buried near where they fell and in the Birmingham burying grounds. While the battle was a significant loss for Gen. Washington’s army, it was a turning point in the war because of the strong resolve it fostered among the Continentals to carry on the fight for freedom..

The Battle of Brandywine involved 28,000 soldiers in combat and was the largest and longest battle of the American Revolution.
• After marching 17 miles in 9 hours from Kennett Square, Gen. Howe’s army took a break for tea, to rest and refresh in the vicinity of Osbourne Hill. This allowed Gen. Washington to reposition many of his troops from the eastern side of the Brandywine Creek to form a defensive line near the Birmingham Meeting.

★ You are positioned in the vicinity of Stephen’s regiment. Imagine columns of redcoats, across a half mile, descending the south side of Osbourne Hill in the distance; battalion flags flying; drums beating.
-----------------------------------------
5pm, Sandy Hollow: The Second American Defense

• The first line of Colonial defense broke in confusion under heavy fire. The most significant fighting took place along Birmingham and Wylie Roads in the vicinity of the Birmingham Meeting and what is now Sandy Hollow Heritage Park.

• The Continental Army fought valiantly, reforming on high ground in a wavering but often amazingly courageous defense. It was “disputed muzzle to muzzle”. The line gave way five times, reforming and pushed farther back.

• The high ground of Sandy Hollow Heritage Park marks the “sunset stand”

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as slowly the Colonials were driven back by overwhelming forces and firepower, dusk was closing in, ammunition was low, and many of the three and four pounder cannons had been lost.

• Both sides were exhausted by long marches and a nearly two-hour battle. The Continental left flank finally gave way and Greene’s men held the Sandy Hollow area, while a fighting retreat began toward Dilworthtown.

• There were substantial casualties. Many of the dead on both sides were buried near where they fell and in the Birmingham burying grounds.
While the battle was a significant loss for Gen. Washington’s army, it was a turning point in the war because of the strong resolve it fostered among the Continentals to carry on the fight for freedom.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 39° 54.208′ N, 75° 34.744′ W. Marker is near West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Birmingham Township. Marker can be reached from South New Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Sandy Hollow Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1325 S New St, West Chester PA 19382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Where is George Washington? (here, next to this marker); Sandy Hollow Heritage Park (within shouting

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

2. Sandy Hollow Marker

A Revolutionary War encampment can be seen behind the marker.

distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sandy Hollow Heritage Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Brandywine Battlefield A Commonwealth Treasure (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Sandy Hollow Heritage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brandywine (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lafayette Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Brandywine (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Chester.

More about this marker. A map on the left side of the marker shows the Fields of Fire during Order of Battle at Birmingham Hill 17:00, September 11, 1777.

Also see . . .
1. History of the Battle of the Brandywine. Brandywine Battlefield website. (Submitted on May 17, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777 at Brandywine, Pennsylvania. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on May 17, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. The Battle of Brandywine Creek 1777.

Marker in Sandy Hollow Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

3. Marker in Sandy Hollow Heritage Park

A British perspective of the battle from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on May 17, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Sandy Hollow Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

4. Sandy Hollow Heritage Park

Birmingham Friend’s Meeting House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

5. Birmingham Friend’s Meeting House

As stated on the marker, during the Battle of Brandywine the first line of defense of the American Army was established near this building. It was also used as a hospital by both sides after the battle.

Battle of Brandywine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 17, 2014

6. Battle of Brandywine

The battle is reenacted at Sandy Hollow Heritage Park.

Photographed By Pete Skillman, March 10, 2024

7. Sandy Hollow Marker

Sandy Hollow Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pete Skillman, March 10, 2024

8. Sandy Hollow Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,172 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on September 30, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 17, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.