When
Washington learned that
Howe was ascending
Chesapeake Bay in the fleet of his brother, he marched (Aug. 24, 1777) from
Philadelphia to meet him. At about the time he reached
Wilmington Howe was landing his army, 18,000 strong, at the head of the
Elk River, 54 miles from
Philadelphia.
Washington's effective force did not exceed 11,000 men, including 1,800
Pennsylvania militia.
Howe's objective was
Philadelphia, and he began his march (Sept. 3) in that direction through a country swarming with Tories.
One division was led by Earl Corn-wallis, and the other by
General Knyphausen.
Washington had advanced almost to
Red Clay Creek, and sent
General Maxwell with his brigade to form an ambuscade in the direction of the enemy.
In a skirmish the
British were checked, but moved forward (Sept. 8) to attack
Washington and turn his flank.
By a dexterous movement in the night, the latter fell back to Chad's For, on the
Brandywine Creek, above
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Wilmington, and took post in a strong position on the hills that skirt the eastern borders of that stream.
The astonished
Britons gave chase the next morning, but found
Washington standing in their pathway
to
Philadelphia.
The two divisions of
Howe's army met at Kennet Square (Sept. 10), and the next morning Cornwallis led a large portion of them up the
Lancaster road towards the forks of the
Brandywine, leaving all their baggage — even their knapsacks — with the other division.
The latter moved for
Chad's Ford a few hours later in a dense fog.
Washington's left wing, composed of the brigades of
Muhlenberg and
Weedon, of
Greene's division, and
Wayne's division with
Proctor's artillery, were on the hill east of
Chad's Ford.
The brigades of
Sullivan,
Stirling, and Stephen, composing the right wing, extended along the
Brandywine Creek to a point above the forks; and 1,000
Pennsylvania militia under
General Armstrong were at Pyle's Ford, 2 miles below Chad's.
General Maxwell, with 1,000 light troops, was posted on the west side of the creek to dispute the passage of
Knyphausen.
The latter attempted to dislodge
Maxwell, who, after a severe fight, was pushed to the edge of the Brandywine, where he was reinforced.
Then he turned upon his pursuers and drove them back to the main line.
Perceiving danger of being flanked,
Maxwell fled across the stream, leaving its western banks in possession of the enemy.
Knyphausen now brought his great guns to bear upon the
Americans at
Chad's Ford.
He was to divert
Washington's attention from Cornwallis, who was pushing forward to cross the
Brandywine and gain the rear of the
Americans.
This accomplished,
Knyphausen was to cross over, when a simultaneous attack by both parties was to be made,
Washington directed
Sullivan to cross the
Brandywine above and attack Cornwallis, while he (
Washington) should cross the stream and assail
Knyphausen.
Through misinformation,
Sullivan failed to perform his part.
A message which he sent to
Washington kept the latter in suspense a long time.
Greene, who had crossed at
Chad's Ford with his advanced guard, was recalled; and Cornwallis, in the mean time, had made a wide circuit, crossed the
Brandywine, and gained a hill near Birmingham Meeting-house, not far from
Sullivan's right, before that officer discovered him. The surprised general informed
Washington of his peril, and immediately prepared to attack the enemy.
Before he could do so, Cornwallis, with his
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rested troops, fell upon
Sullivan, and a severe conflict ensued.
For a while the result was doubtful.
Finally the right wing of the
Americans, under
General Deborre, gave way; then the left, under
Sullivan; but the centre, under
Stirling, remained firm for a while.
Then it, too,
broke and fled in confusion.
Lafayette, who was with this corps, fighting as a volunteer on foot, was badly wounded in his leg. the scattered troops could not be rallied, excepting a few who made a stand at
Dilworth.
They, too, soon joined the fugitives in the flight towards the main army, closely pursued by the victors, Cornwallis's cannon having made dreadful havoc in the ranks of the
Americans.
Meanwhile
Washington, with
Greene and two brigades, had hastened to the aid of the right wing.
They met the fugitives, opened their ranks to receive them, and, by a constant cannonade, checked their pursuers; and at a narrow defile the regiments of Stephen and
Stewart held the
British back until night, when the latter encamped.
In the mean time,
Knyphausen had crossed at
Chad's Ford and attacked the left wing under
Wayne.
After a gallant fight, the latter, seeing the
British gaining his rear, abandoned his cannon and munitions of war and made a disorderly retreat behind the division of
Greene.
At twilight there was a skirmish near
Dilworth between
Maxwell and his light troops, lying in ambush to cover the retreat of the
Americans, and some British grenadiers.
The contest was brief, for darkness put an end to it. The
Americans, defeated, marched leisurely to
Chester; for the
British, who held the field, did not pursue.
The next morning (Sept. 12, 1777)
Washington gathered his broken army, marched towards
Philadelphia, and encamped near
Germantown.
It was estimated that the
Americans lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 1,200; the
British, about 800.
