CHAP. III. on the road leading over Chadd's ford, in order 1777. to gall, and skirmish with the advanced parties

Sept. 9.

of the enemy, if, as was expected, they should approach in that direction. The militia under general Armstrong were posted at a ford two miles below Chadd's, and the right extended some miles above to guard other passes deemed less practicable. In this position general Washington attended the movements of the adverse army.

In the evening, Howe marched forward in two columns. Lieutenant general Knyphausen with the left, encamped at New-Garden, and Kennet-square; while lord Cornwallis with the right, occupied a piece of ground lower down at Hockesson meeting-house. Early the next morning, they united at Kennet-square, about seven miles from the American army: from whence their parties were advanced on the roads leading to Lancaster, to Chadd's ford, and to Wilmington.

The armies were now within seven miles of. each other, with only the Brandywine between them, which, being fordable almost every where, could oppose no effective barrier to a general engagement. This was sought by Howe, and not avoided by Washington. It was impossible to protect Philadelphia without a victory, and this object was deemed throughout America, and especially by congress, of such infinite magnitude, as to require that an action should be hazarded for its attainment.

Light parties were detached to watch the CHAP. III. enemy in every direction, and to give the 1777. earliest intelligence of their movements.

On receiving, in the morning of the 11th, soon after day, information that the whole British army was in motion, advancing on the direct road leading over Chadd's ford, the Americans were immediately under arms, and were arranged in order of battle, for the purpose of contesting the passage of the river. The skirmishing between the advanced parties soon commenced, and by ten o'clock, Maxwell's corps, with very little loss on either side, was entirely driven over the Brandywine below the ford. Knyphausen, who commanded this column paraded on the heights, reconnoitred the American army, and by various movements appeared to be making dispositions to force a passage over the river. Every moment the attempt was expected to be made. A skirt of woods with the river divided them from Maxwell's corps, small parties of whom occasionally crossed over, and kept up with them a scattering fire, by which very little execution was done. One of these parties, however, led by captains Waggoner and Porterfield, engaged their flank guard very closely, killed a captain, with ten or fifteen privates, cleared the wood of the enemy, and were at one time on the point of taking a field piece, which had been placed there to annoy the light infantry. The sharp

VOL. III.

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*

CHAP. III. ness of the skirmish soon drew a large body of the enemy to that quarter, and the Americans were again driven over the Brandywine..

About eleven in the morning, information was given, which reached general Washington about noon, that a very large column of the enemy with many field pieces, had taken a road leading from Kennet-square, directly up the country, and had fallen into the great valley road south of the Brandywine, and above its forks. That they had then turned into the Valley road, and were on their march towards Tremble's and Jeffery's fords. This information was given by lieutenant colonel Ross of Pennsylvania, who was in their rear, and who estimated their numbers at about five thousand men. Colonel Bland of the cavalry, who was also on the right, gave information about the same time, that he had seen two brigades advancing on that road, and that the dust appeared to rise in their rear for a considerable distance.

On receiving this information, Washington formed the very bold design of detaching Sulli van, and lord Stirling, to fall on the left of the column conducted by lord Cornwallis, while he should cross Chadd's ford in person, and attack Knyphausen with the centre and left wing of his army. In the critical moment when

i Ramsay....Gordon.

this plan was to be executed, counter intelli- CHAP. III. gence was received, inducing an opinion that 1777. the movement of the British on their left had been merely a feint, and that the column under lord Cornwallis, after making demonstrations of crossing the Brandywine above its forks, must have actually marched down the southern side of that river, to re-unite itself with Knyphausen. A major of the militia, who alleged that he left the forks of Brandywine so late in the day that it was supposed lord Cornwallis must have passed them by that time, gave assurances that there was no appearance of the enemy in that quarter; and some light horse who had been sent to reconnoitre the road, returned with the same information.

The uncertainty produced by this contradictory intelligence was at length removed, and about two o'clock in the afternoon, it was ascertained that the column which was led by lord Cornwallis, accompanied by sir William Howe in person, and which had taken a circuit of about seventeen miles, was in great force, and might be expected to make a very formidable attack.

The proper disposition was immediately made to receive them. The divisions commanded by Sullivan, Stirling, and Stephen, took new ground; advanced a little further up the Brandywine, and fronted the column of the enemy now marching down that river. The

Chap. III. division, lately Lincoln's, now commanded by 1777. Wayne, remained at Chadd's ford, for the purpose of keeping Knyphausen in check; in which service Maxwell's light infantry was to co-operate with them. Greene's division, accompanied by general Washington in person, formed a reserve, and took a central position between the right and left wings.

The Ameri

can army

defeated at

Brandywine,

and retreat

to Chester.

The divisions detached against the column led by lord Cornwallis, formed hastily on an advantageous piece of ground, above Birmingham meeting-house, with their left near the Brandywine, and having both flanks covered by a thick wood. The artillery was judiciously posted, and the disposition of the whole was said by the enemy to have been well made. Unfortunately, in taking their ground, Sullivan's division made too large a circuit and was scarcely formed when the attack commenced.

On coming within view of the Americans, the British army, which was advancing in three columns, instantly formed the line of battle, and about half after four the action began. It was kept up warmly for some time. The American right, which was in some disorder, first gave way. Their flight afforded the enemy great advantages over the remaining divisions, whose flank was thereby exposed to a very galling fire. They continued to break from the right, and in a short time, the whole line gave way and was completely routed. The right attempted to rally, but, on being briskly