Wounded at Paoli

So badly maimed were some of the Paoli wounded, that General Howe refused to permit British doctors to care for them. He sent Washington a letter on the 21st asking him to send an American surgeon to care for the wounded. Even transporting the wounded prisoners proved a burden, and many were dropped off at houses along the path of the British march.

Even though the wounded were returned to American hands, they were still considered British prisoners. Once the prisoners recuperated, there was a debate on their status. It was decided that as they recuperated, they would be enrolled in companies guarding arms caches. They would serve in that capacity until they were counted as part of a prisoner of war exchange.

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Philadelphia Campaign 1777