ON AUG 25 1777, AFTER A MONTHS VOYAGE FROM NEW YORK, 15.000 BRITISH TROOPS LED BY SIR WILLIAM HOWE DISEMBARKED ON THE SHORES OF THE ELK RIVER APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES EAST OF THIS SITE. THE FLEET OF 300 VESSELS WHICH HAD TRANSPORTED THEM WAS UNDER COMMAND OF THE GENERALS BROTHER, ADMIRAL RICHARD HOWE. HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS SUBSIDED THE NIGHT OF AUG 27, WHEN THE BRITISH BEGAN THEIR CAUTIOUS MARCH TOWARD PHILADELPHIA ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE ELK. ON SEPT. 11 THEY ENGAGED AND DEFEATED WASHINGTON'S ARMY IN THE BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE.