Battle of Paoli

by Thomas J. McGuire

"McGuire writes with such spirit and such a sure mastery of telling detail that it's as though he were there himself. This is first-rate military history." --David McCullough

In the years since the Revolutionary War, legend has obscured the story of the Battle of Paoli, better known in history as the Paoli Massacre. For this first-ever full-length treatment of the battle, the author has uncovered never-before-published primary documents to tell of British General Charles Grey's brutal attack on Anthony Wayne's division of 1,500 men in September 1777. The detailed account follows the action from the arrival of Wayne's division south of the Schuylkill River, near Paoli Tavern, to defend Philadelphia against Howe's encroaching troops to Grey's discovery of Wayne's position, the bloody battle that ensued, and the subsequent court-martial of Wayne, who had been accused of negligence.

Genres: American Revolution, American Revolutionary War, History, War

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2000

About the author

Thomas J. McGuire teaches history in Malvern, PA. His work on the Battle of Paoli is considered the most complete documentation of the Revolutionary War battle, and was instrumental in preserving the battlefield as a historic site. In that book, as well as his other work, McGuire uses a wealth of primary material to record history from the American Revolutionary War, with a particular focus on Southeast Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Steven Roman, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Read

This book was a quick read. The attention to detail and the descriptions provided kept me engaged throughout. The authors knowledge and thorough investigation on the topic she'd light on the status of the Continental Army and the difficulties they constantly faced.

[Justinian]

2008-12 - Battle of Paoli. Author: Thomas J. McGuire. 270 pages. 2006.

This is perhaps the best book written on the Battle of Paoli/The Paoli Massacre/ Wayne’s Affair. The battle itself is an obscure battle which occurred during the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777 after the Battle of the Brandywine. The battle is mostly forgotten in popular memory and merely a footnote in the best of Revolutionary War Histories. The actual Paoli Battlefield is fairly well preserved and marked. The field is located in Malvern, PA.

The battle itself occurred when a British detachment attacked a Continental force commanded by Anthony Wayne which had gotten astride of the British Lines of Communication and Supply. General George Washington had instructed Wayne to seek out the enemy’s flanks and rear and shadow him. It is unclear if the intent was to actually launch a full scale attack, a harassing attack at a moment of opportunity or to jeopardize further British moves towards Philadelphia with a compromised supply corridor. The reason for the continuing uncertainty is that some of the primary documents were lost and during the court martial later on myth had already taken hold as reputations were at stake.

What this battle did show was that Washington was no mere Fabian seeking to avoid combat by a system of defending posts. It showed that the conflict from Brandywine to the occupation of winter quarters at Valley Forge was a conflict of aggressive maneuvering, competing intelligence gathering and guessing. The actual battle itself is a testimony to the advantages of trained troops and the use of shock action at night instead of firepower. This lesson would be paid back to the British some two years later at Stony Point when Wayne and some of these very same troops would carry a fortified British defensive position with cold steel at night. The Battle cry that night was, “Remember, Paoli!”

The book does a very good job of providing the lead up to the battle. Much of the marching, counter-marching, skirmishing, and reactions were unknown to me. It seems that where I now live was part of a British encampment. The sheer size of these columns and encampments will surprise most readers unfamiliar with these aspects of warfare. The actual battle is covered in as good a detail as is possible. The author relies on primary source documents from both sides as well as the terrain itself. He provides a good follow up and legacy section as well. The appendix is highlighted by transcripts from the court martial of Anthony Wayne (he was acquitted). The dire supply situation of the Continental Army is probably best brought into focus by the lack of much written correspondence due to a chronic shortage of paper. Many transcripts being scribbled on what ever was available, such as troop strength returns, supply requests etc.

Unlike the authors’ Philadelphia Campaign series where the actors do most of the speaking with the author providing direction and linkage this book turns that approach on its head. The author provides the bulk of the story in traditional historical linear narrative format. He sprinkles the text with numerous passages from the actors as appropriate. I think that this was a wise choice given the many conflicting points of view and myths which quickly grew up around this Battle. Many of these myths seemed to be ready made even as the Battle was approaching. The myths grew and magnified to the point where the truth is probably lost in its entirety and only segments, glimpses, and pieces can be put together.

Given these obstacles the author does a very good job of providing both what is probably the closest version o the truth and some of the myths and their probable origins. This book is an excellent piece of history about a battle which deserves to be better known and studied.

[Kosar7480 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise but thorough summary of a largely forgotten, crushing defeat for Anthony Wayne in the Revolution