Brandywine or Pennsylvania Militia Flag

September 1777

On 11 September 1777, the Pennsylvania Milita serving under General Washington attempted to block the British Army’s route to Philadelphia along Brandywine Creek.  British General Howe sent a diversionary force against the American front.  Meanwhile, aided by local loyalists, the bulk of the British Army crossed Brandywine Creek upstream, flanking the Americans.  Realizing his army was trapped, Washington withdrew, saving the Continental Army but allowing the British to take Philadelphia.  Although a tactical victory for the British, the capture of Philadelphia turned out to be a strategic blunder.

The Battle of Brandywine is often considered the first battle in which the Stars and Stripes saw action.  Following the custom of British regimental flags, the Pennsylvania Militia Flag contains the national Flag in the upper corner.

After the battle, the Flag came into the possession of Lt. Col. Robert Wilson who passed it down generationally until the family donated it to the Independence Hall Museum in 1923.  It is currently stored by the National Parks Service.

Sources:

Furlong, William and McCandless, Byron “So Proudly We Hail, The History of the United States Flag” p. 114 (1981) Smithsonian Institution Press

Hartvigsen, John “Branywine Flag” The Flag Bulletin No. 186 (March-April 1999)

https://flagresearchcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fb-186-brandywine-3.pdf

Preble, George. “Our Flag, Origin and Progress of the Flag of the United States of America” p. 201, (1872) Kessinger’s Legacy Reprint

Taub, James “Banners of Liberty” p. 27 (2025) Museum of the American Revolution

https://www.amrevmuseum.org/virtualexhibits/banners-of-liberty/pages/pennsylvania-militia