Battle of the Brandywine - Martins Tavern

Major General John Sullivan send a message to George Washington, stating that reports of a British attempt to cross the Brandywine North the Continental Army were false. Sullivan met a "Major Joseph Spear of the militia who came (last night) This morning from a tavern called Martins on the forks of the Brandywine." Spear rode from Martin's Tavern to what is today Longwood Gardens without spotting to roughly 9000 British who would soon pass the south of Marshallton. mistaken report lead Washington to recall orders that may have changed the course of battle. Joseph Galloways spy map in the presence at the Battle of Brandywine provided British General Sir William Howe with the information needed to defeat Washington. Galloway was a former Speaker of the Pennsylvania assembly a meter a Pennsylvania is more realistic. His knowledge of the region around Martin's tavern, most importantly key fords crossing each branch of the Brandywine, gave Howe the opportunity to nearly surround the Continental Army. The Americans were not without local intelligence. Washington had at his disposal militia commander John Hannum and was eventually warned of Howe's plan by Squire Thomas Cheney, both of whom are mentioned is having spent the previous night at Martin's tavern.