Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2002 - The Battle of Cooch's Bridge 1777, re-enactment August 24, 2002

Delaware National Guard
Band, Color Guard entertain at Cooch’s Bridge 225th Anniversary Ceremony
Story by Sgt. Joe Nye, Det. 1 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

The only Revolutionary War battle fought on Delaware soil and the debut of the Stars and Stripes was remembered on Saturday, August 24, with remarks and a re-enactment at Cooch’s Bridge near Glasgow.

1st Sgt. Snyder brings the 287th Army Band together as they prepare for the re-enactment to begin. Photo by Sgt. Joe Nye, Det. 1 444th MPAD.

The state's own 287th Army Band was on hand to entertain the crowd of over 500 who paid their respects on a gray and drizzly day. Color Guard duties were handled by the Air Guard, 166th Airlift Wing, Base Honor Guard.

Airmen from the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard provided the event Color Guard. The 287th Army Band is pictured in the background. Photo courtesy of Arthur Welch.

The ceremonies and re-enactment were also attended by such dignitaries as Sen. Joseph Biden, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, Rep. Mike Castle and the state’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Francis D. Vavala.

The re-enactment marked the 225th anniversary of the skirmish, which matched up some of the finest of Gen. George Washington’s young army with the battle hardened British army commanded by Sir William Howe.

Mr. Edward W. Cooch.
The ceremony was highlighted by speeches from Gov. Minner as well as from Edward W. Cooch, local historian, and part of the nine generations that have lived in the house directly behind the famous bridge since before the Revolutionary War itself.

"I was here for the last re-enactment in 1977," said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Francis Ianni, the state’s Adjutant General from 1977 – 1981 and currently a member of the Delaware Heritage Commission. "Schools don’t cover the Revolutionary War as much these days and it’s up to groups like these to preserve our history."

After a handful of speeches, the crowd on hand got a good taste of what the battle may have looked like with a re-enactment performed by over 60 re-enactors dressed in the uniforms of the day to include muskets and a cannon.

Members of the British and Hessian forces prepare another cannon blast. Photo by Sgt. Joe Nye, Det. 1 444th MPAD.

The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge was a vital one. In late August of 1777, a little more than a year after the Declaration of Independence, a large army of 18,000 British and Hessian soldiers landed at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. They then made their move towards Philadelphia and what they thought would be the defeat of the upstart American army.

Musket weidling troops re-enact the Battle of Cooch's Bridge during the 225th Aniversary Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Arthur Welch.

As Gen. Washington moved his main army southward to prepare for future battles, he called upon the best soldiers from each state unit to form together to help slow the advancing British troops. This early elite unit attacked the British at Cooch’s Bridge on September 3, 1777 and fought for the first time, historians believe, under the flag of the new thirteen star "Betsy Ross" flag.

Though undermanned with only 700 troops, the Americans succeeded in their goal of slowing down the mighty British Army. American casualties were reported as "41 rebels to include several officers", but it’s logical to assume the British suffered much heavier losses due to the initial ambush set up the commander, Brig. Gen. William Maxwell.

The Americans lost the battle, but slowed down the 18,000 British troops headed north, and of course, went on to win the war. Photo courtesy of Arthur Welch.

Re-enactors for American forces share a laugh after their battle at Cooch's Bridge. Photo by Sgt. Joe Nye, Det. 1 444th MPAD.