Battle of the Clouds
Pennsylvania
After the Battle of Brandywine in September of seventeen seventy-seven, Washington's Continental forces retreated toward Swedesford Road near the White Horse Tavern to regroup. The British were in pursuit and a confrontation seemed unavoidable. Then the sky opened.
A sudden and violent downpour soaked the gunpowder on both sides, rendering most weapons useless. With the British outnumbering them and unable to fight effectively in the downpour, the Continental forces used the delay to retreat northwest, find fresh supplies, and re-arm. The battle that might have happened here never did.
A defeat near this spot would have been a heavy blow for the American cause, and the rain spared the army that fight.
