Pielli commemorates The Battle of the Clouds at Goshen ceremony
Part of Goshen’s America250 celebrations
Rep. Chris Pielli May 30, 2026
WEST CHESTER, May 30 – As part of Chester County’s America 250 celebrations, state Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, alongside Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz, West Goshen and East Goshen leaders, and Revolutionary War re-enactors, today participated in the first ceremony to recognize the veterans who fought in the Battle of the Clouds.
The battle took place on Sept. 16, 1777, and was crucial to the eventual American success at Valley Forge. A violent rainstorm prevented the British from destroying Washington’s army, which was running low on supplies. The storm allowed the American army to retreat, restock, and recover, leading to the crucial winter encampment at Valley Forge. The names of those who died in the Battle of the Clouds have been lost to history. To honor those veterans, Pielli presented flags that had flown over the state Capitol in Harrisburg to East and West Goshen townships. Later in the ceremony, Pielli joined East and West Goshen Township supervisors, local dignitaries, and re-enactors in signing a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
“Today, we take this opportunity for the first time to formally recognize our sacred dead from the Battle of the Clouds here in the Goshens, whose sacrifice helped start this grand experiment centuries ago,” Pielli said. “Two hundred and fifty years ago, Americans stood up to a king’s tyranny and declared that government exists to serve the people, not to rule them through force or fear.
“That great achievement from our founders is currently tested in many ways. Freedom is not free, nor is it forever guaranteed. As we look back 250 years and into the future, the hour is upon us and the choice is clear: to remain true to our founders’ intent and sacrifice, let us pledge again allegiance to the republic for which it stands, and to each other as patriots caring, sharing, sacrificing, out of many one, enduring, dreaming, building, and believing in the free and unconquerable United States of America.”