American Position Battle of Cooch's Bridge - Delaware Public Archives

NC-41:

ORIGINAL TEXT:

The Americans at Battle of Cooch’s Bridge, September 3, 1777, were stationed along the road between here and Aikentown (Glasgow). They had a post a Cooch’s Mill which stood on the west side of the creek, where severe fighting occurred. Skirmishing began near Aikentown and continued over Iron Hill to Welsh Baptist Meeting House.

Original Location: East end of Cooch’s Bridge, north side of highway of highway on Wilmington and Elkton Turnpike, 3.5 miles from Newark.

2008 TEXT:

On September 3, 1777, an American Light Infantry Corps composed of Continental soldiers from New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, with militia from Pennsylvania and Delaware, was stationed west of Christina Creek between Aikentown (Glasgow) and nearby Cooch’s Bridge. Intended as an advance force with orders to give the British “as much trouble as you possibly can,” they were met by Hessian and British troops moving forward on present-day Old Cooch’s Bridge Road. Led by Brigadier General William Maxwell, the American marksman battled enemy forces in a short but hard-fought engagement. Eventually outnumbered and facing artillery, the Americans withdrew towards Christina after exhausting their ammunition. Maxwell’s Corps went to fight with distinction at the Battle of Brandywine.

2024 TEXT:

Stationed from Aikentown (Glasgow) to Cooch’s Bridge, Continental soldiers and militia from Delaware and other states had orders to delay the enemy with “as much trouble as you possibly can.” Led by Brigadier General William Maxwell, they engaged Hessian and British troops advancing on present-day Old Cooch’s Bridge Road. On September 3, 1777 – during the only battle of the American Revolutionary War on Delaware soil – outnumbered Americans exhausted their ammunition and, facing artillery, withdrew toward Christiana. Later they joined with the main army and fought with distinction in the Battle of Brandywine.

Installed in 1932. Reinstalled in 2024.