Musters – Events
The First Defenders meet at 6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of each month from April through December. Meetings include dinner and a speaker who may be a guest or a member. Meetings are held at Giannotti’s Country Restaurant on Pricetown Road in Alsace Manor.
A book raffle is held each month with all proceeds donated to battlefield preservation, and members who attend virtually will have the opportunity to participate even if they cannot attend a program.
Guests and new members are welcome. Space is limited in the restaurant, so please contact a board member or the First Defenders by email (see the Regimental Staff page).
MEMBERS ONLY! Sign up to attend the upcoming event!
Brandywine: the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America
presented by Michael Harris
The Philadelphia Campaign of 1777 was a major British offensive during the American Revolutionary War aimed at capturing Philadelp
hia, the government seat of the rebellious colonies. Along the meandering Brandywine Creek, a mere 25 miles from the colonial capital, British General Sir William Howe sought to deliver a coup de main against the ragtag Americans. The bitter fighting on Birmingham Hill would eventually drive Washington's army from the field, but its heroic defensive stand saved it from destruction and proved that the nascent Continental foot soldiers could stand toe-to-toe with their foe. Despite capturing and occupying Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Campaign highlighted the resilience of the Continental Army, the limitations of British military strategy and set the stage for a more global conflict with France joining the war in 1778.
Michael C. Harris is a military historian with degrees from the University of Mary 
Washington and American Military University. He’s known for his accessible yet deeply researched works on Revolutionary War battles, and is the author of a richly illustrated and detailed account of the British military campaign to capture Philadelphia during the American Revolutionary War.
