In September 1777 George Washington’s Army retreated to the Eastern bank of the Brandywine River to make a stand. General Cornwallis’s Army was in pursuit, about a day behind. Using the river as a barrier, Washington distributed his Army to the north and the south of his central position at Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania. His far left flank was composed of Pennsylvania militia. These men had a good defensive position, with not only the river as a barrier, but swampy land across it to hinder any enemy movements. Skirmishing started on the morning of the 11th, followed by a lengthy artillery dual at the center of the line. By the afternoon, Washington was frustrated, not knowing where the English Army would try to push across. As it was, the push at the center was a feint, and Cornwallis had his main army cross at an unguarded ford to the north. The Pennsylvanians guarding the Southern flank had no targets, and eventually withdrew along with the rest of the Continental Army. While the field of battle was lost to the British, the Continental Army withdrew in good order, in high morale, and ready to continue the “Philadelphia Campaign”.
In September 1777 George Washington’s Army retreated to the Eastern bank of the Brandywine River to make a stand. General Cornwallis’s Army was in pursuit, about a day behind. Using the river as a barrier, Washington distributed his Army to the north and the south of his central position at Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania. His far left flank was composed of Pennsylvania militia. These men had a good defensive position, with not only the river as a barrier, but swampy land across it to hinder any enemy movements.
Skirmishing started on the morning of the 11th, followed by a lengthy artillery dual at the center of the line. By the afternoon, Washington was frustrated, not knowing where the English Army would try to push across. As it was, the push at the center was a feint, and Cornwallis had his main army cross at an unguarded ford to the north. The Pennsylvanians guarding the Southern flank had no targets, and eventually withdrew along with the rest of the Continental Army.
While the field of battle was lost to the British, the Continental Army withdrew in good order, in high morale, and ready to continue the “Philadelphia Campaign”.