called "Paoli Massacre" by Americans due to high number of American casualties and bayonet wounds

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The Battle of Paoli was a 1777 nighttime surprise attack during the American Revolutionary War in which British forces routed Continental troops in Pennsylvania, later remembered by Americans as a brutal and lopsided defeat.

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf battle
event
alsoKnownAs Massacre at Paoli
linked to: Paoli Massacre

Paoli Massacre
AmericanCommander Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
linked to: Anthony Wayne
associatedWith Continental Army encampments near Paoli
defense of Philadelphia
belligerent Great Britain
Thirteen Colonies
BritishCommander Major General Charles Grey
casualties high American casualties
causeOfNickname high number of American casualties and bayonet wounds
characterization brutal and lopsided defeat for American forces
combatant British Army
Continental Army
commander Anthony Wayne
Charles Grey
commemoratedBy Paoli Battlefield Historical Park
conflict American Revolutionary War
country United States (present-day)
county Chester County, Pennsylvania
culturalMemory remembered as a massacre despite being a military engagement
date September 20–21, 1777
followedBy British capture of Philadelphia
historicalEra 18th century
legacy symbol of British brutality in American memory
location near Paoli, Pennsylvania
memorial Paoli Battlefield Historic Site
natureOfAttack nighttime surprise attack
notableFeature limited use of musket fire by British troops
notableFor stealth approach and surprise on sleeping American troops
partOf Philadelphia campaign
precededBy Battle of Brandywine
primaryWeaponUsedByBritish bayonet
region Mid-Atlantic Colonies
linked to: Middle Colonies
rememberedAs Paoli Massacre by Americans
linked to: Paoli Massacre
result British victory
state Pennsylvania
strategicObjective disrupt and destroy Wayne’s division
surpriseAttack true
tacticsUsed bayonet attack
night assault
theater Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War
timeOfDay night
typeOfEngagement infantry engagement
year 1777

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Battle of Paoli nicknameOrigin called "Paoli Massacre" by Americans due to high number of American casualties and bayonet wounds