Battle of Paoli

The Battle of Paoli, also known as the Battle of Paoli Tavern or the Paoli Massacre, was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 20, 1777, in the area surrounding present-day Malvern, Pennsylvania. Following the Continental Army's retreat in the Battle of Brandywine and the aborted Battle of the Clouds, George Washington left a force behind under the command of Brigadier General Anthony Wayne to monitor and resist the British as they prepared to attack and occupy the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia.

Battle of Paoli
Part of the American Revolutionary War

A Dreadful scene of havock, a 1782 portrait depicting the Battle of Paoli
DateSeptember 20, 1777
Location
Willistown Township and Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United States  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Anthony Wayne Charles Grey
Strength

2,500 men

  • 1,500 regulars
  • 1,000 militia
1,200 men engaged
600 in support 2 miles away
Casualties and losses
201 killed or wounded
71 captured
4 killed,
7 wounded
Paoli Battlefield Site and Parade Grounds
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Battle of Paoli monument in present-day Malvern, Pennsylvania
LocationRoughly bounded by Warren, and Monument Aves. and Sugartown Rd., Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°01′47″N 75°31′06″W
Area62.2 acres (25.2 ha)
Built1817, 1877
ArchitectJohn T. Windrim, Palmer C. Hughes
Architectural styleColonial Revival, Late 19th and 20th century Revivals
NRHP reference No.97001248
Added to NRHPOctober 23, 1997

On the evening of September 20, British forces under Major General Charles Grey led a surprise attack on Wayne's encampment near the Paoli Tavern in present-day Malvern, resulting in many American casualties. With inaccurate later claims that the British took no prisoners and granted no quarter, the engagement came to be known as the "Paoli Massacre."

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