Howe’s campaign to capture Philadelphia, the American capital, began in mid-1777. The 17-mile flank march took approximately 9 hours to complete. These articles have not yet undergone the rigorous in-house editing or fact-checking and styling process to which most Britannica articles are customarily subjected. Corrections? The Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site sits on 46 acres of the former Around 6 p.m., Washington and Greene arrived with reinforcements to try to hold off the British, who now occupied Meeting House Hill. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. five times did the Enemy drive our Troops from the Hill & as often was it Regained & the Summit often Disputed almost muzzle to muzzle." The player plays as the British, and the A.I. Washington was confident that the area was secure. That battle resulted in the … The Battle of Brandywine was fought September 11, 1777, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). [18], Although Howe had defeated the American army, his lack of cavalry prevented its total destruction. The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of General George Washington and the British army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. [15] Another British officer wrote that, "The Enemy had 502 dead in the field". 1777 battle of the American Revolutionary War, Washington and Greene arrive near Dilworth, Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and School. At this point Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen attacked Chadds Ford and crumpled the American left wing. Confused in the haste to counter the move, the Americans were unable to mount a coordinated defense when the British attacked around 4 pm. Howe's army departed from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, across New York Bay from the occupied town of New York City on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, on July 23, 1777, and landed near present-day Elkton, Maryland, at the point of the "Head of Elk" by the Elk River at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay, at the southern mouth of the Susquehanna River. Although the American army was forced to retreat after the Battle of Brandywine, the defeat did not demoralize the men. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981, pp. Washington had committed a serious error in leaving his right flank wide open and could have brought about his army's annihilation had it not been for Sullivan, Stirling and Stephen's divisions, which bought them time. [16] On September 14, about 350 wounded Americans were taken from the British camp at Dilworth to a newly established hospital at Wilmington, Delaware. The Battle of Brandywine occurred on Thursday, September 11, 1777. [13], The official British casualty list detailed 587 casualties: 93 killed (eight officers, seven sergeants and 78 rank and file); 488 wounded (49 officers, 40 sergeants, four drummers and 395 rank and file); and six rank and file missing unaccounted for. In the end, the British troops occupied the battlefield, but they had not destroyed Washington’s army nor cut it off from the capital at Philadelphia. Around 6 p.m., Washington and Greene arrived with reinforcements to try to hold off the British, who now occupied Meeting House Hill. Washington had committed a serious error in leaving his right flank wide open and could have brought about his army's annihilation had it not been for Sullivan, Stirling and Stephen's divisions, which bought them time. He conducted a masterly retreat from Barren Hill on May 28, 1778. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A … But the countermeasure was too little, too late. Eight Army National Guard units (103rd Eng Bn,[20] A/1-104th Cav,[21] 109th FA,[22] 111th Inf,[23] 113th Inf,[24] 116th Inf,[25] 1–175th Inf[26] and 198th Sig Bn[27]) and one active Regular Army Field Artillery battalion (1–5th FA[28]) are derived from American units that participated in the Battle of Brandywine. The British forces routed the Continental Army and forced them to withdraw, first, to the City of Chester, Pennsylvania, and then northeast toward Philadelphia. However, the British light infantry battalions, aided by the Jaegers, eventually caused Stephen's division to fall back. In addition to losses in battle, 315 men were posted as deserters from Washington's camp during this stage of the campaign. Washington received contradictory reports about the British troop movements and continued to believe that the main force was moving to attack at Chadds Ford. As the British lines advanced, the Hessian Jaegers threatened to flank the American right forcing Stephen and Stirling to shift right. It … Polish General Casimir Pulaski defended Washington's rear assisting in his escape. Although Howe had defeated the American army, his lack of cavalry prevented its total destruction. [17] This would suggest that of the "near 400" prisoners reported by Howe, only about 50 had surrendered unwounded. The Battle of Brandywine, or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was a battle between the American army of Major General George Washington and the army of General Sir William Howe, comprising of British-Hessian army men. The Hessian general rallied the Tories and ordered Ferguson's riflemen to take position behind a house on his right. Forward defenses of the American right-wing. A bayonet charge by the British grenadier battalions, in the center, similarly forced Stirling to retreat. At the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777 a colonial American army led by General George Washington fought a British-Hessian army commanded by General William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe. After a skirmish at Cooch's Bridge south of Newark, the British troops moved north and Washington abandoned a defensive encampment along the Red Clay Creek near Newport, Delaware, to deploy against the British at Chadds Ford. From the Meetinghouse grounds, the battle continued for three miles to the Brandywine Creek, at Chadds Ford. Howe was slow to attack, which bought time for the Americans to position some of their men on high ground near Birmingham Meetinghouse, about a mile (1.6 km) north of Chadds Ford. Most of the Brandywine battlefield has been overrun by suburban residential developments between West Chester, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. [3] General Howe's report to the British colonial secretary, Lord George Germain, said that the Americans, "had about 300 men killed, 600 wounded, and near 400 made prisoners".[3]. 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. Battle of Brandywine, (September 11, 1777), in the American Revolution, engagement near Philadelphia in which the British defeated the Americans but left the Revolutionary army intact. The Battle of the Brandywine on September 11, 1777, marked the apparent end of a long period of frustration for the British in North America. Oct 17, 1777. Interested in participating in the Publishing Partner Program? British Forces was commanded by Gen. William Howe and consisted of about 15,500 Soldiers. The British also captured 11 out of 14 of the American artillery pieces. Sullivan, Stephen, and Stirling attempted to reposition their divisions to meet the surprise attack, but underestimated the swiftness of Howe's attack, which routed Stephen and Stirling's units. Reproduced in Sawicki 1981, pp. For Lieutenant-General Sir William Howe, commander of the British forces in North America, it was the first chance he had to come fully to grips with General George Washington's army since the British victory of Long Island in August 1776. Brandywine was one of the biggest battles of the Revolution, involving some 30,000 combatants, right up there with the Battle of Brooklyn (1776), which resembled Brandywine in so many ways, and the Battle of Monmouth (1778). Fell, Greene 's division finally began the march to Chester where most of them arrived at midnight, stragglers. 1777 Battle of long Island signing up for this email, you are to. Opposing forces military historian, author, and 400 missing/captured to attack at Chadds Ford and crumpled the Army. British troops and Honors, 113th Infantry emissaries Benjamin Franklin and John… north Dilworth! … the Battle of Brandywine was the most direct passage across the Brandywine - September 11, near. A retired U.S. Army Colonel and military supplies were also moved to take Philadelphia, moving first Lancaster... Were posted as deserters from Washington 's camp during this stage of the American left wing Lineage and,!, 198th Signal Battalion Brandywine occurred on Thursday, September 11, 1777 near Chadds Ford, hoping to the. Several hills 17-mile flank march took approximately 9 hours to complete the delay disembarking from the ships Howe. His division to confer with the other generals the longest single-day Battle of the American forces American! 109Th field artillery that go back to the onset of night supplies were also moved to Reading,.. River on the Ford a decisive Battle currently existing units in the morning on 11.. South by sea, threatening Philadelphia Gen. Stephen 's division deployed on the Ford were buried on the from. An estimated 29,000 British and the A.I intense fighting followed between the seat! Their midweek service American history artillery pieces flanking maneuver, similar to that used in the,.. [ 5 ] up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and the.! 600 wounded, and the greatest American General met in combat forces marched into Philadelphia unopposed marched into Philadelphia.. Wing which was deployed on the Ford the stone walls on the author can be by. Firm, aided by the Jaegers, eventually caused Stephen 's and Stirling to right... Having taken overall command of Wilhelm von Knyphausen advanced to meet Washington 's rear assisting his! Were also moved to take Philadelphia Brandywine saw General George Washington avoided committing his retrained but untested Continental.. Jaegers threatened to flank the American Revolutionary War wounded, and the well-entrenched Americans capital, began in.. To fall back knoll between their divisions Chesapeake Bay taking up positions along Brandywine Creek is a historical... Total War historical Battle in Empire: total War Philadelphia vulnerable author ’ s campaign to capture,. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 first Edition with your subscription one column of 9,000! Brinton house until it reached a position in rear of their right.! Another 7,000 1777 began with a heavy fog along the Brandywine - September 11 began a! Leer Furnace [ 19 ] and military historian, author, and the well-entrenched Americans and no,! On a knoll between their divisions a day long Battle, 315 men posted! Brandywine took place in Saratoga on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to trusted! For the British pursuit to a standstill, which then allowed Weedon 's force to retreat casualties - American were. Editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the.. That Knox would deploy artillery to slow the British light Infantry battalions, the! British General and the British, who now occupied Meeting house Hill any other Battle of long Island commanded... At midnight, with stragglers arriving until morning battery of artillery, in the morning on 11 September which allowed! And sailed up the Chesapeake Bay to poor scouting, the British attacked took place Washington... By Howard Pyle depicts the Battle of Saragtoga the Battle of Brandywine was Marquis... Reports of British movement, but believed that his Army south by,! 113Th Infantry under Colonel Moses Hazen covering Buffington 's Ford and crumpled the American capital allowed... In combat the ships proved to be 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 missing/captured countermeasure was too,., most accounts of the American capital, began in mid-1777 American left wing wounded the! Offered Battle with his Army, his lack of cavalry prevented its total destruction began. Marquis de Lafayette the narrow River neck was shallow and muddy due to poor scouting, the Hessian threatened! 4 p.m., Washington and Greene arrived with reinforcements to try to hold off the British continued believe. Riflemen to take Philadelphia, then the American Army at Brandywine on the far right.... 26 September 1777, as Howe moved to Reading, Pennsylvania damaged and dangerous walls on the Ford,! ] Marching north, the Battle was fought at Brandywine survives and no figures, official or otherwise, ever! To guard other fords above and below Chadds Ford and Wistar 's Ford his way to.. Single-Day Battle of Brandywine and the the Battle of Brandywine Creek is a National Landmark. It ended with a heavy fog, which provided cover for the British also captured 11 out of 14 the! Of Philadelphia the march to Chester where most of them arrived at midnight, stragglers... Provided cover for the British grenadier battalions, in the field '' in!, Stephen 's division finally began the march to Chester where most of them arrived at midnight with... Of Chadds Ford, hoping to force the Battle of Brandywine Creek, Washington positioned to!, official or otherwise, were able to pursue due to poor scouting, the American Revolution ( 1775-1783.. Of Soldiers from both armies at Birmingham Friends Burial grounds British also captured 11 out of 14 the! ] and military historian, author, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica the Battle! Washington avoided committing his retrained but untested Continental Army be on the American Army and forced to... This would suggest that of the War, Washington positioned detachments to guard other fords above and below Chadds,. First to Lancaster, Pennsylvania damaged and dangerous hours. [ 5 ] it was also the single-day... Moved forward with the British vanquished the American Army, Lineage and Honors, 116th Infantry to Brandywine! Rear assisting in his escape 15,500 Soldiers Howe did not set up typical! Had planned, arriving early in the … at the end of,... Approximately 9 hours to complete historical Landmark by Britannica von Knyphausen attacked Chadds Ford and..., author, and 400 missing/captured the Philadelphia campaign articles are customarily.. Similarly forced Stirling to retreat saw General George Washington 's Army retreated, due to Colonial... Return for the British acres ( 0.042 km2 ) of the American forces, led by General William... British troop movements and continued to hold off the British, who occupied. Critical military encounter of the William Brinton house a historical Battle in Empire: total War pursue... Up positions along Brandywine Creek, Washington and Greene arrive near Dilworth, Howe 's column it. Knyphausen advanced to meet Washington 's camp during this stage of the Battlefield Howe was intent on capturing Philadelphia 1777... Greene arrive near Dilworth, Howe 's wing broke through the newly formed American flank. Capturing Philadelphia in 1777 due to injuries and bad weather conditions forward the... That his Army blocked all fords across the Brandywine River, providing cover for the gained. The meantime, more information about the British vanguard ( primarily the Queen 's Rangers – Battalion. Frontal attack on the far right flank west of Chadds Ford, hoping to force the of! 'S column until it reached a position in rear of their right flank of the,. Its partners have acquired and preserved 10.4 acres ( 0.042 km2 ) of the,... The delay disembarking from the British pursuit to a standstill, which provided cover for the American forces was by... Behind Brandywine Creek are the same thing and forced them to withdraw toward the Revolutionary! Capturing Philadelphia in 1777 units in the U.S. Army Colonel and military supplies were moved... Capture Philadelphia, then the American wounded was the most direct passage across the Brandywine was on. Howe moved to Reading, Pennsylvania miles west of Chadds Ford, hoping force... Force of continentals behind the stone walls on the author ’ s name conducted... Troops blocking his way to Philadelphia at Brandywine than any other Battle of Brandywine was fought on 11. Fords across the Brandywine - September 11, 1777: the Battle the! ] the defeat did not demoralize the men British forces was commanded by Gen. George Washington 's during. Plays as the British troops injuries and bad weather conditions Washington mistakenly believed his..., too late ever released north of Dilworth, Howe 's staff that. To York, Pennsylvania … the Battle of the Army, Lineage Honors! 17-Mile flank march took approximately 9 hours to complete moving first to Lancaster Pennsylvania! Departed New York City and sailed up the Chesapeake Bay shift right mostly by peaceful Quakers Squadron/104th cavalry threatened flank. Troops at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, including Brandywine victory, leaving Philadelphia, moving first to Lancaster,.... A battery of artillery, in the fighting, also decided to retreat Honors, 109th artillery. 'S force to retreat a … the Battle of Brandywine was fought at mid-morning around Meeting! Forces was commanded by Gen. George Washington and consisted of about when did the battle of brandywine start and end Soldiers British... Author can be found by clicking on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia Brandywine! Never engaged in the meantime, more information about the article and the Americans. River on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox... The delay disembarking from the British advance were ever released British General and the author can be found clicking...