Bruce Mowday, Author at Bruce E. Mowday

March 3, 2025

True Crime, History and Sports are topics for March talks

 Author Bruce E. Mowday takes part in events

across Chester and Lancaster counties and Maryland

             WEST CHESTER _ Author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to give talks on his books on Richie Ashburn, General Lafayette, crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante and Gettysburg during events in March.

            Mowday said. “I’m honored to be asked to take part in the events and give presentations on my books.”

His new book, A Killer at the Door, was released by Schiffer Publishing last week. The work details the escape of Cavalcante and the fear he spread throughout the county. Talks on the book include March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Traditions at Longwood, March 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Brandywine Ace Hardware, Pocopson, on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford, on March 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club in Kennett Square, and at the library in North East, Maryland, on March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The event at the General Warren, Malvern, on the Cavalcante book on March 13 is a sellout.

“The interest in A Killer at the Door has been tremendous,” Mowday commented. “This morning Amazon listed the book at 29,792 out of more than 30 million books listed for sale and number 223 in its Murder and Mayhem category.”

Details for the talks are found at www.mowday.com. The website also has information on Mowday and his books. Those wanting signed copies should contact Mowday at www.mowday.com.

Mowday’s book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero is the subject of two presentations. One is at the Penn State York campus on March 10 at 1:00 p.m. as part of a life-long learning program. On March 20 at 4:30 p.m., Mowday is taking part of an event at Lancaster History.

Mowday has written three books on Gettysburg. On March 16 at 3:00 p.m. he will speak on Emotional Gettysburg. The event is hosted by the East Brandywine Historical Commission and takes place at the township building, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown. Mowday wrote essays to go with paintings by noted artist Karl J. Kuerner. Kuerner and Mowday also collaborated on Emotional Brandywine.

Mowday’s final talk of the month takes place March 31 at 2:15 p.m. at Tel Hai Retirement Community, Honey Book. The subject will on Phillies great Richie Ashburn and his book Why the Hall Not.

 

February 17, 2025

Schiffer Publishing releases A Killer at the Door on February 27

 Television shows, signings and talks scheduled

for book on escape from Chester County Prison

by crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante

Special dinner event takes place on March 13 at General Warren

           WEST CHESTER _ An interview with author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to be taped Thursday by Pennsylvania Cable Network on his new book, A Killer at the Door. The book covers the escape of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante and the havoc the incident caused neighbors of Chester County Prison.

The book was featured on show on WGAL’s In Focus program earlier this month. Mowday has entered into an agreement with Lionsgate Media to assist on the making of a documentary on the escape. Schiffer Publishing of Atglen is releasing the book on February 27.

“The book has garnered great attention,” Mowday said. “I’ve been asked to do a number of talks and signings, already. The Cavalcante escape and hunt captured the attention of the world in September 2023. The two-week ordeal caused so much anguish for the citizens in the neighborhood of the prison. The cost of the escape was enormous, estimated to be $20 million.”

Besides the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Mowday is to be interviewed by the Chester County Press this week. On Saturday, the book was part of a true crime presentation to the Sisters In Crime organization at Tredyffrin Library.

A special dinner, reception, talk and book signing is scheduled for Thursday, March 13 at the General Warren, 9 Old Lancaster Highway, Malvern. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

The price per person is $59.00 and includes the reception, meal, dessert and unlimited soft beverages, coffee and tea. Adult beverages, tax and gratuity are additional.  Reservations are required. Call the General Warren at 610 296-3637 for reservations.

Mowday will be at Kings Tavern on Sunday, February 23, for a reception and signing at Kings Tavern 313 W. Lincoln Highway, at 4:00 p.m.

Four presentations, in addition to the one at the General Warren, are scheduled for March. On March 6, Mowday will give a talk at Traditions at Longwood at 7:00 p.m. On March 8, Mowday will sign books from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Ace Hardware, 1150 Pocopson Road, West Chester.

Mowday will be at Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 E. Locust Street, Oxford, at 7:00 p.m. And, on March 15, the author will talk at the Italian American club, 30 Ways Lane, Kennett Square, at 1:00 p.m. The final scheduled March talk by Mowday takes place in Maryland at the North East Library, 485 Mauldin Avenue, North East, at 6:30 p.m.

Three events are scheduled, so far, in April. On April 24 at 6:30 p.m., Mowday will be at the Avon Grove Library, 117 Rosehill Avenue, West Grove. He’ll do a book signing at the Paradocx Vineyards, 1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg, on April 26 at 4:00 p.m. Mowday will give a special presentation at the Radley Run Country Club on April 29.

Four presentations are arranged for June. On June 5, Mowday will be at the Longwood Rotary, Longwood Gardens at 7:00 p.m. The Phoenixville Library, 183 2^nd Avenue, will host Mowday’s talk on June 9 at 6:30 p.m. The final two June events include a visit to the West Chester Sunrise Rotary on June 25 and a signing at the Barnes & Noble in Fredericksburg, VA., on June 21.

The book costs $24.99 and can be ordered through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, SchifferBooks.com, and wherever books are sold.  For signed copies, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. All of Mowday’s books can be seen at www.mowday.com.

“I’m not surprised about the international interest,” Mowday commented. “After an illegal migrant was convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend in front of her children, he crab-walked up a prison wall while a guard was on his telephone and led police on a two-week search that cost businesses and taxpayers $20 million dollars. The brazen escape and search was followed locally and internationally.

“County authorities didn’t timely inform the public of the escape of the murderer,” Mowday continued. “A major part of the book is the fear experienced by neighbors of the prison as the hunt continued for almost two weeks. Airplanes and helicopters were constantly in the air. To some, the thought of those helicopters cause trauma today.”

Mowday has appeared on television and radio shows, including The Spark of PBS member station WITF, Counter Culture, a PBS Emmy-winning show, the Discovery ID channel, ReelZ network, C-SPAN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Hollywood and Beyond, Our American Heritage, Whatcha Got, Journey into the Civil War, Chronicles of the American Civil War, WGAL’s In Focus and local television and radio stations.

 

 

February 17, 2025

The nation’s focus is on West Chester and Chadds Ford

July 26 as part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration

Since the gala kickoff in New York City in August, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration throughout the United States. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the eyes of the nation will be upon West Chester and Chadds Ford.

The day is our opportunity to remember and salute the Marquis Lafayette, the young Frenchman who defied his king to come to the United States. He greatly assisted the winning of our freedom and independence during the American Revolution. Brandywine holds a special place in our nation’s history, as on September 11, 1777, Lafayette was wounded. Once he spilled his blood in a field on Birmingham Hill, Lafayette was on his way to becoming a revered American hero.

From August 1824 until September 1825, Lafayette was our “Nation’s Guest,” invited by President Monroe and Congress to tour and be honored. Currently, the American Friends of Lafayette is recreating community celebrations on the day Lafayette visited a city, town or village. This grand 13-month celebration involves many dedicated people from across the United States and France. Information can be found at www.lafayette200.org.

The local committee has been hard at work for many months. Plans are being completed for the day-long celebration. The celebration is inclusive and organizations are encouraged to contact Chair Bruce Mowday at mowday@mowday.com to volunteer or participate. For more information, see Facebook page Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee.

The Lafayette Bicentennial Lafayette Committee was involved in the successful October Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in Chester. The committee devised and developed a non-fiction book on Lafayette for students. The book, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero, is designed to give information to students and adults on Lafayette. Education is a key goal of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration. Individuals and DAR groups have distributed the book to more than 1,300 students in the past year.  A presentation was given last year to 100 international students at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Each student received a copy.

February 11, 2025

Schiffer Publishing releases A Killer at the Door

After an illegal migrant was convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend in front of her children, he crab-walked up a prison wall while a guard was on his telephone and led police on a two-week search that cost businesses and taxpayers $20 million dollars.

Author Bruce E. Mowday’s true crime book released February 27

ATGLEN, PA. _ Schiffer Publishing releases A Killer at the Door, a true crime book that echoes elements from today’s headlines, on February 27.

On August 31, 2023, convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante crab-walked up the walls of Pennsylvania’s Chester County Prison and escaped while the lone guard was on his telephone. Once the video of the brazen escape was released, the world’s attention was riveted on the quest to capture Cavalcante.

Cavalcante escaped his native Brazil after being accused of murder. He illegally entered the United States. On April 18, 2021, he killed his ex-girlfriend in front of her two young children. After convicted of the murder of his ex- girlfriend, he was housed at Chester County Prison.

The prison was woefully understaffed and only one guard, instead of three, were guarding prisoners when Cavalcante escaped. Cavalcante gained freedom the same way another prisoner escaped some weeks earlier. Prison officials did not correct the deficiencies before Cavalcante’s escape.

“County authorities didn’t timely inform the public of the escape of the murderer,” Mowday commented. “A major part of the book is the fear experienced by neighbors of the prison as the hunt continued for almost two weeks. Airplanes and helicopters were constantly in the air. To some, the thought of those helicopters cause trauma today.”

The book costs $24.99 and can be ordered through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, SchifferBooks.com, and wherever books are sold.

For signed copies, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. A Killer at the Door is Mowday’s fourth true crime books. He is an award-winning author and newspaper reporter. He has authored more than 25 books on history, sports, business and true crime. He is a Consulting Producer with Lionsgate/Blackfin productions in connection with a documentary on his new book, Killer at the Door.

 

February 3, 2025

A Killer at the Door, author Bruce E. Mowday’s new book

subject of talks and book signings in next two months

Mowday continues Lafayette presentations during bicentennial celebration

WEST CHESTER _ This month’s release of A Killer at the Door by Schiffer Publishing triggers a number of events by author Bruce E. Mowday. The book details the many intricate details of the circumstances leading to the escape and capture of crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante from Chester County Prison in September 2023.

“The escape and two-week search for Cavalcante cost $20 million and caused so much anxiety to citizens,” Mowday said. “People from around the world followed the search for Cavalcante.”

Mowday is the featured speaker at the Sisters in Crime meeting at Tredyffrin Library, 582 Upper Gulph Road, Strafford, at 10:00 a.m. on February 15. Kings Tavern, 313 West Kings Highway, Coatesville, is hosting a book signing from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mowday will give a presentation on the book at 5:00 p.m.

Schiffer Publishing of Atglen, Pennsylvania, officially releases the book on February 27. For information on obtaining a signed copy, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. For all of Mowday’s books on history, true crime, business and sports, see www.mowday.com.

Mowday is taping a show for Pennsylvania Cable Network’s authors program on February 20. No date has been scheduled for the showing of that program.

The General Warren at 9 Old Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, is hosting a gala dinner and talk on the Cavalcante book on Thursday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. “Proprietor Patrick Byrne hosts wonderful events. I’ve been involved in several in connection with my books,” Mowday said. “The night will be special and includes a reception and a fine meal. I urge those wanting to attend to make reservations by calling 610 296-3637. I’m hoping to have participants of the Cavalcante capture attend.”

A representative of Blackfin, the documentary arm of Lionsgate media, is expected to attend. Last week Mowday signed an agreement with Lionsgate to be a Content Producer on the documentary project.

Mowday has three other Cavalcante presentations in March. He’s at Traditions at Longwood on March 6 at 6:00 p.m., at Brandywine Ace Hardware, 1150 Pocopson Road, Pocopson, on March 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and on March 25 at 6:30 p.m., Mowday will be the library in North East, Maryland, 485 Mauldin Avenue, giving a Cavalcante presentation.

Tonight, Monday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. Mowday will give a zoom presentation on Lafayette as part of The Lafayette200 Marquis Monday Virtual Speaker Series.  Mowday wrote two books on Lafayette and is chair of the Brandywine Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration committee. The event is produced by the Lancaster and Western Chester County Lafayette Bicentennial Committee. Mowday will give a talk on Lafayette on March 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Lancaster History, 230 N. President Avenue, Lancaster.

For information on the national Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration, see www.Lafayette200.org. Mowday’s books on Lafayette are Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero and Lafayette: America’s Young Hero and Guest.

On March 10 at 1:00 p.m. Mowday will be presenting on Lafayette at the OLLI program at the Penn State York campus, 1031 Edgecomb Avenue, York.

On February 13 and 14, Mowday will take part in a staff ride and talk of the Brandywine battlefield with cadets of the Valley Forge Military Academy. During the month he is giving a tour of the battlefield for members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Three other presentations on Mowday’s books are being given. On February 18, he will talk about his Along the Brandywine book before the Masons in Honey Brook and he will talk about his Richie Ashburn book at Tel Hai retirement community, Honey Brook, at 2:00 p.m.

Mowday has authored three books on Gettysburg and he will talk on Emotional Gettysburg before the East Brandywine Historical Commission, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown, on March 16 at 3:00 p.m.

 

February 3, 2025

General Warren hosts dinner program

featuring author Bruce E. Mowday

and his new book Killer at the Door

March 13 event includes a talk about the escape of a crab-walking murderer from Chester County Prison and the two-week search for the killer.

           MALVERN _ For almost two weeks convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante terrorized sections of Chester County as local, state and national law enforcement officials scoured the county to capture the deadly escapee. The escape captured international attention when footage was released of Cavalcante crab-walking up the walls of Chester County Prison.

Mowday spent months talking with more than 80 people and conducting 40 formal interviews for the book. Schiffer Publishing releases Killer at the Door: The Dramatic Prison Break and Manhunt for Convicted Murderer Danilo Cavalcante on February 27. Mowday will have copies of the book for sale at the General Warren event.

“Bruce’s presentations on his books at the General Warren are always entertaining and well attended,” said General Warren Proprietor Patrick J. Byrne. “I urge people to call as soon as possible for reservations.”

The Thursday, March 13 evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception with Mowday. The dinner and lecture follows. A question and answer session takes place over dessert. The price per person is $59.00 and includes the reception, meal, dessert and unlimited soft beverages, coffee and tea. Adult beverages, tax and gratuity are additional.

Reservations are required. Call the General Warren at 610 296-3637 for reservations. The General Warren’s address is 9 Old Lancaster Highway, Malvern.

“I’m excited to be asked back to the General Warren,” Mowday said. “Patrick and his staff are perfect hosts. And his chef always prepares a wonderful meal to go along with the talk.”

Mowday signed an agreement to work on a documentary of Cavalcante with Blackfin, Inc., of Lionsgate studios of California.

“The Cavalcante story has many layers,” Mowday commented. “Besides the escape and the difficult manhunt, my book delves into the factors that led to the escape and the trauma suffered by residents. Today, some still suffer from the fear.”

Mowday will have copies of his books for sale. For information on Mowday, see www.mowday.com. For information on the General Warren, see www.generalwarren.com.

Bayard Taylor Draft Text

December 12, 2024

Intercollegiate Studies Institute

3901 Centerville Rd. Wilmington, DE 19807

Intercollegiate Studies Institute Christmas Open House & Lecture 

Poet, Diplomat, Travel Writer: The Life & Work of Kennett Square’s Bayard Taylor

 Good evening. I thank John Burtka and the staff of Intercollegiate Studies Institute for inviting me to speak this evening on Bayard Taylor. And I especially thank all of you for attending. This is an honor for me.

 This talk is designed to give you some information on Taylor. If this talk was presented in the mid-19^th century in this area, especially nearby Kennett Square, I would not have to give much background on Taylor. Taylor was a celebrity of not only this area but of the world.

 It’s too bad we have allowed Taylor to be lost to the world. His hometown of Kennett Square is now known for mushrooms, the Mushroom Capitol of the United States, home to a two-day mushroom festival and, of course, the New Year’s Eve Mushroom drop, akin to the Times Square, New York, Apple celebration. I’m sure you all will brave the weather at the end of this month to observe the mushroom spectacle.

 What about one of the town’s most famous residents, Bayard Taylor? Well, the town’s library used to be known as the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library. They had a great library card with Taylor’s photo displayed. I joined that library some years ago so I could get a card. I have it, in case anyone wants to see it later. Well, recently Kennett Square modernized that library and changed its name to the Kennett Square Library. Not sexy at all, but the powers to be believed no one would know where the library was located if retained the Bayard Taylor moniker.

 If you detect I wasn’t in agreement with the name change, you would be correct. I didn’t get a vote.

 Taylor might not be a household celebrity but you might have heard of the following persons:

 Horace Greeley

Thoreau

Abraham Lincoln

Mark Twain

Edgar Allen Poe

Commodore Perry

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

John Greenleaf Whitter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

 Bayard Taylor had interactions with them all.

 One of my first experiences with writings by Taylor came when I was researching my book on the battle of Brandywine, titled September 11, 1777.  It was the first in-depth look at the Revolutionary War battle that took place fairly close to where we are tonight. One of Taylor’s first works, he was a teenager, aged 15, was titled “A Visit to the Battle Ground of Brandywine.” He began his essay by saying he “long desired” to see this place, celebrated in the annals of our revolution. He followed with a lively description of the battle. I couldn’t resist publishing Taylor’s essay and my publisher agreed. He wrote the article on April 5, 1840, with a dateline of Unionville. His prose was worthy of a writer twice his age.

 If you do a quick internet search on Bayard Taylor, you will be informed that Taylor was an American poet, literary critic, translator, travel author, and diplomat. As a poet, he was very popular. A crowd of more than 4,000 attended one of his poetry reading, which was a record that stood for 85 years. His travelogues were popular in both the United States and Great Britain.

 An audience of 4,000! John you would have had to have a larger venue if Taylor was here in person.

 Let’s get the basics out of the way: He was born in Kennett Square on January 11, 1825, to Quaker parents Joseph and Rebecca Way Taylor.  Taylor was married twice. His first wife, Mary Agnew, died soon after their marriage. His marriage to Marie Hansen produced a daughter, Lillian Bayard Taylor Kiliani. He died on December 19, 1878, he was just 53 years old, in Berlin, Germany. He is buried in the Longwood Cemetery, just outside the gates of Longwood Gardens.

Bayard Taylor was named in honor of the esteemed Delaware senator James A. Bayard. According to information from the Kennett Square library, Bayard’s mother had taught him to read at age four, and early in his life, he found his real refuge in books, never tiring of reading poetry and books about the countries he longed to visit.

 Taylor’s true love seemed to be poetry. He began corresponding with Rufus Griswold, an editor, who encourage him to publish a collection of his early poems. He did so in 1844, at the age of 19. The accomplishment is impressive for one so young.

 Another accomplishment for the young man was fulfilling his desire to be a globe trotter. He took advantage of an opportunity to travel to Europe with a relative and another man. How did Taylor finance his trip? He entered into agreements with publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, to write articles about his European travels. He landed in Liverpool, England and spent the next two years visiting cities in England, Germany and Italy.

 Taylor was very frugal, he subsisted on about six cents a day, according to letters he wrote home. Anyone think they can travel today on 6 cents a day? Can you get anything for 6 cents today?

His career as an international travel writer was launched!

Upon returning to Kennett Square, Taylor was encouraged to gather his writings into a book and did so – Views A-Foot. The book was so popular, it went through 24 editions in 13 years! Taylor was the James Patterson of his era.

Taylor aimed to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary Agnew, but he needed money to support her and tried his hand a newspapers and eventually went to New York City where he worked for the New York Tribune and met Horace Greeley. Greeley urged Taylor to help another young writer, Thoreau, who lived in a shanty at Walden Pond.  Greeley purchased a Thoreau manuscript for $75. For his own part, Taylor continued writing and published a book which received praise from Edger Allan Poe. His work for the Tribune continued and he traveled to San Francisco to cover the gold rush. His adventures to another successful book – Eldorado.

When Taylor returned he did marry Mary Agnew but her health was poor. She died two months after the wedding. After Mary’s death and a period of mourning, he decided on another foreign trip. Egypt and the Middle East were among his stops and then he went to the Far East and again wrote for the Tribune. In 1853, he received an appointment as master’s mate in the United States Navy in order to travel to Japan with Commodore Perry on the U.S.S. Mississippi. This trip resulted in the publication of A Visit to India, China and Japan, in the Year 1853.

The Far East trip led to a number of invitations to lecture and he did so. But he was soon off on another adventure, including stops in Sweden and the Artic – where one day the temperature was recorded as minus-47.  This is the trip where he met Alfred Lord Tennyson in England. Another book was published in 1857. He met another important person his life during that trip – his future wife, Marie Hansen. She was a niece of a friend from Germany. They married October 1, 1858. They next year the couple became parents of a daughter, Lillian, and they returned to the United States.

Back at Kennett Square, he built a country estate just north of Kennett Square and called it Cedarcroft. Those attending a dedication ceremony in 1860 were Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Greenleaf Whitter, Horace Greeley and others.

Taylor entered government work and was chargé d’affaires of the Russian legation in St. Petersburg. This was the time of the American Civil War. Taylor’s brother Charles was in the Union Army and was killed on July 2, 1863, during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Upon returning to the United States, President Abraham Lincoln attended one of Taylor’s lectures on Russia and was impressed. Lincoln wrote Taylor a letter and later Bayard published Ballard of Abraham Lincoln.

During the next part of his life he began writing novels to go with his poetry. One was the Story of Kennett. One of his works brought praise from Nathaniel Hawthorne. As Taylor curtailed his traveling and lecturing and concentrated on his writing. His work translating Faust brought him a position with Cornell University. His final novel was published in 1870.

Taylor decided to move his home to New York City and sold Cedarcroft. He did return once to Kennett Square before his final voyage to Germany in 1878. A passenger on the ship he met was Mark Twain. Unfortunately, Taylor became ill during the trip and never fully recovered. He was diagnosed with a liver condition. On December 18, 1878, he died.

           

November 3, 2024

Author Bruce E. Mowday gives Lafayette presentations

to Sons of the American Revolution groups in Colorado, PA and Virginia

Mowday scheduled to speak in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware during 2024

             EAST GOSHEN _ Author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to give presentations in five states during the remainder of 2024. His schedule begins with presentations on Lafayette to two members of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Mowday will be in Williamsburg, Virginia, on Saturday, November 9 talking to the local SAR group. A week later on November 16 he will deliver a Zoom talk to the SAR group in Colorado. Also, Mowday will speak before a SAR group in Reading on December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The American Friends of Lafayette is celebrating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825 as America’s Guest. Mowday, a member of the American Friends of Lafayette, wrote two books on Lafayette, Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero and Lafayette: America’s Young Hero & Guest.

As part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration, Mowday is speaking at St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland, on December 14 at 11:00 a.m.

For information on the Lafayette Bicentennial, which began in New York City in August, see www.lafayette200.org. The Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee is hosting events in Chadds Ford and West Chester on July 26, 2025.

Mowday is speaking before the Wise group on Lafayette on December 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Ludwig’s Corner.

The Military Officers Association of America is hosting Mowday for a history talk on December 7 at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Mowday will be joining Pittsburgh author Mary Walsh for book signings at the Archbishop Wood Holiday Show at 655 York Road, Warminster. On Friday, November 22 the hours are 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, November 23, the hours are 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Mowday will join the Thornbury Farm Christmas Market on Saturday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to sign books. The event takes place at the farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester.

On December 2, Mowday will take part Holiday Bazaar at the Hershey’s Mill Community Center, 25 Hershey’s Drive, West Chester, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The event benefits the Chester County Hospital.

Mowday will give a special presentation on Kennett Square author Bayard Taylor on December 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute in Wilmington, Delaware.

Barnes & Noble, 301 Main Street, Exton, is hosting Mowday for two holiday book signings. On December 21 he will be at the store from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. On December 24, he will be signing his books from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

For more information on Mowday’s events, see his website www.mowday.com. To contact Mowday for a personalized signed book or to schedule an event or talk, contact the author at mowday@mowday.com.

October 2, 2024

EDITORS: The following information is for immediate release. If you have any questions, contact Carmela Cohn of Barricade Books at carmelacohen65@gmail.com.

Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero

Barricade Books’ publication featured

during national bicentennial celebration

of return of American hero Lafayette

           NEW YORK _ A grand 13-month celebration is taking place across the United States in connection with the Marquis Lafayette’s return to the United States in 1824 and 1825 as America’s guest.

Barricade Books’ Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero and author Bruce E. Mowday are featured at a number of the events being conducted by the national organization the American Friends of Lafayette. For information on the bicentennial, see www.Lafayette200.org.

To commence the festivities, a three-day celebration took place in New York City in August. A parade on Broadway, a reception at the French Consulate and a book signing at the Park Avenue Armory were highlights. Lafayette at Brandywine was featured at the book signing.

“Lafayette is a national hero,” said Barricade Publisher Jonathan Bernstein. “I’m glad to say the American Friends of Lafayette and citizens across the country are honoring him today. I’m honored that one of our books plays a part in such a deserved celebration.”

          Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an America Hero can be obtained through Barricade Books, major book sellers and internet outlets. Signed copies by the author can be purchased by contacting the author at mowday@mowday.com.

The book was unveiled during a Yorktown, Virginia, celebration before a gathering of the American Friends of Lafayette. This year Mowday will return to Yorktown for a signing on October 19, the anniversary of the surrender of the British army to General George Washington. Lafayette played a major role in the victory.  Charles Schwam, Chief Operating Officer of the American Friends of Lafayette and chair of the national Bicentennial Committee, wrote of the Barricade book, “As I have been a ‘Lafayette-ist’ for more than a dozen years now, this book spoke to me in a way no other book has. It is not simply a biography or a description of events, but a detailed explanation of the genesis of Lafayette’s ascent to hero status.”

 

 

September 11, 2024

Brandywine Battlefield Park

Remembrance Remarks

            I thank you for the invitation to speak at this solemn event to honor those who sacrificed their lives here at Brandywine on September 11, 1777, and elsewhere during the American Revolution. This is truly an honor.

As I was thinking about what I was going to say today, another solemn dedication in our nation’s history came to mind. During his Gettysburg Address to commemorate the opening of the national cemetery in November 1863, President Lincoln acknowledged the sacrifices of the American Revolution soldiers and spoke immortal words that perfectly summarize our assignment here today. I can’t improve on his oratory. In part, President Lincoln said:

We are met on a great battle field of that war. We come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow, this ground The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here.

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Today, we all have a sacred duty, as outlined by President Lincoln. Our charge here today, and forever in the future, is to remember those sacrifices made at Brandywine, and more importantly, make sure those living today and those yet to be born also remember Brandywine and recognize the significance of those patriots’ bravery and of their sacrifices.

On the ground we now stand, at this hour on September 11, 1777, chaos reigned.  For George Washington and his troops, the battle, a severe loss, was drawing to a conclusion. His headquarters, just a few feet away, was in the possession of the enemy, the British army. General Anthony Wayne’s attempt to keep the British behind the Brandywine had failed. General Sullivan’s attempt to fend off the attack of the British at Birmingham Hill and Sandy Hallow failed. The bravery of the American soldiers and their belief in liberty for all allowed them to slow down the British advance to allow the American army to retreat to Chester. George Washington’s army survived September 11 and lived to win our freedom and independence.

Washington’s report to Congress that evening, noted the field was lost to the enemy. Washington specifically named two Continental officers in that report, one being a young Frenchman who celebrated his 20^th birthday just five days before the battle of Brandywine. He was the Marquis de Lafayette. In his first battle for American freedom, Lafayette was wounded on Birmingham Hill and spilled his blood for his belief in independence and freedom. At the moment he was wounded, he was on his way to being an American hero. A much needed American hero. For Lafayette championed our cause in France and without the assistance of the French Army and Navy we would not have defeated England during the American Revolution.

I’m a member of the American Friends of Lafayette and they greatly assisted me during my research for my book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero. When I first talked with officials of that organization about my book, they had an interesting reaction. They laughed. They then said the organization always knew the most important aspect of the battle of Brandywine was Lafayette. They asked, what took us here at Brandywine so long to recognize the fact?

We now know and the country, today, is being made aware of the importance of Lafayette and Brandywine as we are in the midst of a grand celebration to mark the bicentennial of Lafayette being the Nation’s Guest for his contributions to America’s independence. For 13 months, Lafayette toured the United States in 1824 and 1825. The American Friends of Lafayette are marking celebrations of the amazing tour.

Our turn, here at Brandywine, Chadds Ford and West Chester, will come on July 26, 2025, the 200^th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit during his tour as America’s Guest. I’m hoping everyone here will join in making that celebration a success! As a final tribute when the tour concluded, Lafayette returned home to France on a new American naval ship, The BRANDYWINE.

Lafayette and all the brave soldiers that fought at Brandywine and the American Revolution need to be remembered and honored today and every day.

I’ll conclude with a comment on what I believe to be President Lincoln’s two most important addresses, his Second inaugural speech and the Gettysburg Address. Both had less words that my remarks, so I must close.

Thank you all for remembering our Patriots.