Both parties, however drew off without further contest, and General Wayne retreated to the White Horse, carrying with him his artillery and ammunition.
The British attack was made by twice the number of the troops commanded by Wayne. The enemy advanced with only bayonets and light horseman’s swords in a most ferocious and merciless spirit. General Grey ordered his men to remove the flints from their guns, that not a single shot should be fired.
The British dashed into the woods, guided by the straggling fire of the picket, and rushed into the camp yelling.
The Americans were completely surprised, some with arms, others without, running in all directions in the greatest confusion.
The light infantry bayoneted every man they met. The camp was soon in flames, and this with the cries of the wounded formed a scene terrible to behold.
In the slaughter even the sick and wounded were not spared. This conduct of the British commander has stigmatized it as “British barbarity” and has given to the action the title of the Paoli Massacre.
The loss of the Americans was about 150 killed and wounded. The British reported their loss as eight killed, but this is probably an inaccurate record.
The next morning the people in the neighborhood visited the scene and decently buried fifty-three mangled dead whose bodies were found upon the field.