Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-10-24
THE BATTLE OF BRANDYwINE.

AT the latter end of August, 1777, Lord
Howe. with an army of about eighteen
thousand men, sailed up Chesapeak Bay,
and landed near Elkton. 1t was the in
tention of the British commander, to
march directly to Philadelphia but he
was delayed, from vsrious causes, several
weeks.
Washington at once OWNED that Howe's
movements were against Philadel phla
aud accordingly he put forth every effort
to raise force capable of resisting him
with some hope of success.
We will pass over the preliminary acts
Of the armies, their maneuvreing, &C.,
nor will we dwell upon the superhuman
exertons made by the Americans to re-
tard the British forces and to bring into
a field a respectable army. Leaving
these incidental matters, we will turn at
once to the 1lth of September, I777.-
1t was about day break when the British
army, eighteen thousand strong, in seve
raj columns began to move towards the
American positions. Washington had post
ed his army, which numbered about eleven
thousand men-Tegular and miIitia-in
several divisions around Chads Ford
Sullivan, Lafayette, Wayne, Maxwell,
and Stirling. were in command of differ
ent portions Of the infantry. The artil~
lery was directed by Knox, and the brave
Pulaski.
The British van, under Gen. Knyphau-
sen, advanced directly upon The ford and
engaged Gen. Maxwell, whose troops be-
ing militia, were gradually driven back.
Being reinforced, however, MNxwrlpS
IL, 81 Ii,,OrOvrlI,
that they halted for IL short time. The
conflict WAS very stubborn, but the British
rallied, and ~ last succeeded in driving
MaxwulI's forces across the ford. y
heavy cnnnnnade now commenced be-
tween the Two atmies, without any deh-
mite results. The British lost some three
hundred men. while to the patriots the
damage was sritling, Knyphausen's at
lack proved to be teint. for Cornwallis,
with strong division, marched up Bran
dvwine river. crossed, and moved swiftly
down against SulIivan's division, whose
duty was To watch the fords just above
the point Of KnyPhausen's assault.
Sullivan was nearly taken by surprise,
so sudden was the movement of the Brl-
tish General, and his army was not entire
IL formed for battle, when the British and
German troops burst upon him. The pa
Iriots received the shock with drmness.
The euemy's artillery being superior TO
the American, it soon made wide gaps in
their ranks. The militia received several
charges from the British regulars, and
returned them with great courage. Eve
ry exertion was put forth by Sullivan and
his officers to encourage their troops
The carnage was dreadful, and not until
an overwhelming force of the enemy came
on, did the Americans waver. But, un-
der volcano Of fire. slowly, first one
wing then the other, began to waver. In
vain did Sullivan, covered with dust and
blood, attempt to stay his men. Lafayette
on foot hurried from rank to rank, and
begged the soldiers to stand firm un-
Ill death But in vain
The storm Of battle poured over the
field and both wings of Suliivan's army
were hurled back. shattered and nearly
destroyed. But the centre, some eight
hundred men, stood like living WALL
The rcsistless cannon ball ploughed their
ranks but they closed them up again. The
German infantry and the British grena-
diers more than once charged in vain
heroes to make final stand until REIN
forcements could come up. But LaFay-
cite fell. shot through the leg two of
Sullivan's aids were killed, and the de-
tachment, reduced to few hundred men,
were compelled to Join their retreating
comrades, and the whole body. great
disorder closely pursued by the victorious
enemy rushed on towards the main army
at Chad's Ford.
Alarmed at the sound of battle ia the
direction Of SuIlivan's position. Wash
ingtou despatched Greene with his divis-
ion to give aid, if necessary. His men
were marching briskly along. when mes
sengers from Sullivan told how fierce was
the battle, and this was corroborated bv
the heavy cannonade, which every mo.
ment grew louder and louder. The truth
flashed upon Greene in an instant-Corn-
wallis had attacked Greene's division l.
Orders for the men to march in t'double
quick time" were instantly given. The
men responded with shouts and it is a
matter OF history that Wayne's troop's
marched four miles IN forty minutes I
About one mile from the battlefield
Wayne met the flying Americans. He
opened his ranks and allowing them to
pass through. showed an undaunted front
to the English. and received them with
we'll directed yollies from his Infantry
Count Pulaski. with his splendid coros 81
cavalry. also charged in gallant and
successful manner upon the advancing
squadrons, beating them back in gallant