The Battle of Brandywine: Part 1 of 10 The British. . . Many of the 15,000 British troops spent the night in Kennett Square — population 2,000 — unwinding and carousing, while a battle loomed.
General Howe’s flanking strategy was devised two days earlier: While General Knyphausen attacked at Chadd’s Ford, as Washington expected, Cornwallis would stealthily move north, cross the Brandywine, and flank Washington’s right. Map and a fuller explanation The Americans. . . By the night of September10th, the American troops wereextended along a six-mile linecovering the east side of theBrandywine Creek.
Washingtonknew that the British armywould have to ford theBrandywine if they were to getto their target — Philadelphia. He discounted the possibility ofbeing flanked, assuming thatHowe would rely upon his hisgreater troop strength and superior artillery to press a direct attack. Washington believed that the British would have to ford the Brandywine at one of eight fords. Washington chose Chadd’s Ford as his defensive stronghold, as this was along the road where the British were camped.
Washington positioned his troops along the creek. Congress even sent four deputies to inspect and they approved of where Washington had placed his men and urged a staunch defense. They knew that if the Americans failed here, it was likely Philadelphia would fall. Washington felt a battle of major consequence was coming. A newspaper of the day quoted the general as saying:Should they push their designs against Philadelphia, on thisroute, there all is at stake.
They will put the contest on the event ofa single battle. If they are overthrown they are utterly undone. Thewar is at an end. Now, then, is the time for our most strenuousendeavors. One bold stroke will free the land. Washington’s army seemed well-positioned and well-prepared to meet the British thrust.
BibliographyThe Battle of Brandywine: Part 1 of 10 The British. . . Many of the 15,000 British troops spent the night in Kennett Square — population 2,000 — unwinding and carousing, while a battle loomed.
General Howe’s flanking strategy was devised two days earlier: While General Knyphausen attacked at Chadd’s Ford, as Washington expected, Cornwallis would stealthily move north, cross the Brandywine, and flank Washington’s right. Map and a fuller explanation The Americans. . . By the night of September10th, the American troops wereextended along a six-mile linecovering the east side of theBrandywine Creek.
Washingtonknew that the British armywould have to ford theBrandywine if they were to getto their target — Philadelphia. He discounted the possibility ofbeing flanked, assuming thatHowe would rely upon his hisgreater troop strength and superior artillery to press a direct attack. Washington believed that the British would have to ford the Brandywine at one of eight fords. Washington chose Chadd’s Ford as his defensive stronghold, as this was along the road where the British were camped. Washington positioned his troops along the creek.
Congress even sent four deputies to inspect and they approved of where Washington had placed his men and urged a staunch defense. They knew that if the Americans failed here, it was likely Philadelphia would fall. Washington felt a battle of major consequence was coming. A newspaper of the day quoted the general as saying:Should they push their designs against Philadelphia, on thisroute, there all is at stake.
They will put the contest on the event ofa single battle. If they are overthrown they are utterly undone. Thewar is at an end. Now, then, is the time for our most strenuousendeavors.
One bold stroke will free the land. Washington’s army seemed well-positioned and well-prepared to meet the British thrust.
