Forward defenses of the American right-wing. There are only thirty currently existing units in the U.S. Army with lineages that go back to the colonial era. As the British began their march toward the city, Washington and the people of Philadelphia were confident that the British could be stopped. Unloading the ships proved to be a logistical problem because the narrow river neck was shallow and muddy. Belatedly, three divisions were shifted to block the British flanking force near a Quaker meeting house.
By placing detachments of troops at Pyle's Ford — the southernmost possible crossing of the river — and Wistar's Ford — the northernmost crossing of the river before it forked — Washington hoped to force a fight at Chadds Ford, an advantageous position. The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American Continental Army of General George Washington and the British Army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777, as part of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). [14] Historian Thomas J. McGuire writes that, "American estimates of British losses run as high as 2,000, based on distant observation and sketchy, unreliable reports".
[6] Marching north, the British Army brushed aside American light forces in a few skirmishes. After a stiff fight, Howe's wing broke through the newly formed American right wing which was deployed on several hills. Brandywine Battlefield: Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site. This site was important as it was the most direct passage across the Brandywine River on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, 103rd Engineer Battalion. This site was important as it was the most direct passage across the Brandywine River on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Howe and the majority of his force continued their approach. From the Meetinghouse grounds, the battle continued for three miles to the Brandywine Creek, at Chadds Ford.
The British forces routed the Continental Army and forced them to withdraw, first, to the City of Chester, Chester, Pennsylvania, and then northeast toward Philadelphia. [6] By 4 p.m., the British attacked, with Stephen's and Stirling's divisions receiving the brunt of the assault; both American divisions lost ground fast. The British also captured 11 out of 14 of the American artillery guns. Major General John Sullivan's division extended northward along the Brandywine's east banks, covering the high ground north of Chadds Ford along with Major General Adam Stephen's division and Major General Lord Stirling's divisions. Department of the Army, Lineage and Honors, Troop A/1st Squadron/104th Cavalry.
At this point, slightly after 4 pm, Washington and Greene arrived with reinforcements to try to hold off the British, who now occupied Meeting House Hill. The Americans fought valiantly, but they had been outwitted on the rolling hills along the Brandywine. [11] This would suggest that of the "near 400" prisoners reported by Howe, only about 50 had surrendered unwounded.
In addition to losses in battle, 315 men were posted as deserters from Washington's camp during this stage of the campaign. Washington was confident that the area was secure. Eight Army National Guard units (103rd Eng Bn,[19] A/1-104th Cav,[20] 109th FA,[21] 111th Inf,[22] 113th Inf,[23] 116th Inf,[24] 1-175th Inf[25] and 198th Sig Bn[26]) and one active Regular Army Field Artillery battalion (1–5th FA[27]) are derived from American units that participated in the Battle of Brandywine. It was determined that Knox would deploy artillery to slow the British advance. By mid-afternoon the British had crossed the river at the unguarded ford to the north of Washington's force and they had gained a strategic position near Birmingham Friends Meeting House. However, it was too late to save Philadelphia, for on September 26th a column of British soldiers marched into the patriot capital unopposed. Howe sent Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen's 5,000 troops to demonstrate against …
On September 9, Washington positioned detachments to guard other fords above and below Chadds Ford, hoping to force the battle there. The defeated Americans retreated to Chester. Marching north, the British army brushed aside American light forces in a few skirmishes. Washington employed General John Armstrong, commanding about 1,000 Pennsylvania militia, to cover Pyle's Ford, 5.8 miles south of Chadds Ford, which was covered by Major Generals Anthony Wayne's and Nathanael Greene's divisions. While part of his army demonstrated in front of Chadds Ford, Howe took the bulk of his troops on a long march that crossed the Brandywine beyond Washington's right flank. Washington believed that he had all of the fords along the Brandywine guarded by his troops and that the closest unguarded ford was twelve miles up-river. [3], Most accounts of the American loss were from the British. Washington employed General John Armstrong, commanding about 1,000 Pennsylvania militia, to cover Pyle's Ford, a few hundred yards south of Chadds Ford, which was covered by Major Generals Anthony Wayne's and Nathanael Greene's divisions. The British appeared on the Americans' right flank at around 2 p.m. and took a much needed rest on Osbourne's Hill, a commanding position North of the Continental army.