The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-09-22
Gistoricol.
BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE.
BY RICHARD EVERETT.

landed near Elkton. 1t was the intention of
the British commander to march directly to
philadelphia, but he was delayed, from varl-
GUS causes, several weeks.
Washington at once OWNED that Howe S
movement was against Philadelphia; and ac-
cordingly he put forth every effort to raise a
force capable Of resisting him with some hope
of success.
We will pass over the preliminary acts of
the armies, their manGvering, &C., nor W Ill
we dwell upon the supcrhuman cxertons
made by the Americans to rctard the British
force. and to bring into the field respectable
army. Leaving these incidental matters, we
will turn at once to the lltl of September,
Iii. 1t was about day break when the
British army, eighteen thousand strong, in
several columns began to move towards the
American positions. Washington had parted
his army, which numbered about eleven thou
sand mcn-rcgular and militia-in several
divisions around Chad's Ford. Sullivan,
Lafayette, Wayne. Maxwell, and Stirling,
were IN command of different portions of the
infantry. The artillery was directed by
Knox, and the cavalry by the brave Pulaski.
The British van, under Gen. knyphausen,
advanced directly VI on the ford and engaged
ten. Maxwell, whose troops being militia,
we've gradually driven back. Being rein
forced, however, Maxwcll's men charged the
enemy SO vigorously that they halted for a
short time The conflict was very stubborn,
but the British rallied, and ut last succeeded
in driving Maxwell's forces across the ford.
heavy cannonade now commenced between
the two armies without any definite result
The British lost some three hundred men,
while to the latriots the damage was trtling.
khyrhauscn' IS attack proved to be fcint for
CORVALLIS, with strong division, marched
up to the Brandywine river crossed, and
moved swiftly down against Sullivan's divi-
sion, whose duty it was to watch the
furds just above the point Of knyphauscn S
assault.
Sullivan was nearly taken by surprise, so
sudden was the movement of the British Cen
eral, and his army was not entirely formed
for battle, when the British and German
troops burst upon him. The patriots rccev-
Cd the shock with t,mncss. The cncmy'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. Every eycrtion was put forth
by Sullivan and his officers to encourage
not until All overwhelming force Of the che
my came on, did the Amc,i ans wavcr.--
But under volcano Of fire. slowly, first one
wing and then the other. began to waver.-
In vain did Sullivan. covered with dust and
blood, attempt to stay his men. La fayctte.
ON loot, hurried from rank to rank, and bcgg-
cd the soldiers to stand firm until death -
But in vain
H., Lot ~ Al Ill
and both wings of Sulivan's army we've hurl
ed back, shattered and nearly destroyed
But the centre, Some eight hundred men,
stood like living wall. The resistlcss can
non ball plowed through their ranks hut
they closed them up again. Tho German
infantry, and the British grcndicrs mere
than once charged in vain. Sullivan, La
Faye,tc and Sterling toiled like heroes to
make final stand until relntorcements
come up. But La Fayette fell, shot through
the leg; two Of Sullvan's ails were killed.
and tile detachment reduced tOa few hundred
men were compelled to join their retrcating
comrades, and the whole body, in disorder,
closely pursued by the victorious enemy
rushed on towards the main army at Chad's
Ford.
Alarmed at the sound of the battle in the
direction Of Sullivans position. Washington
despatched Greene with his division to give
aid, if necessary. His men were marching
briskly along, when messengers from Sull-
van told how fierce was the battle, and this
was corroboratcd by the heavy cannonade,
which every moment grew louder and louder.
The truth flashed upon Greene in an in
stant-CornwaIlis had attacked Grecne's
division! Orders for the men to march in
"double quick time" were instantly gwen
The men responded with shouts; and it is
matter of history that Wayne's troops march
cd four miles in forty minutes.
About ono mile from the battlefield,
Wayne met the flying Americans. lie open
ed his ranks and allowed them to pass thro'
and received them with well directed vollcls
from his infantry and artillery. Count Pu.
laski, with his splendid corpse of cavalry
also charged upon the advancing squadron.
beating them back in gallant style. Anoth-
or battle now began, and continued until
darkness came down upon both a,mcs.-
The British could not advance, while the re-
treating forces of Sullivan were gathered and
re-organizcd. Although pressed very hard,
Grecne's corps holds its ground, and when
night came On, the two armies were very
close together.
In this battle. Count Pulaski, the accom-
plishcd Polish officer, to',k a prominent part.
He commanded the cavalry-a fine corps
which he had drilled to perfection. When
the pursuing columns of English came up
with Grccnc's men, Pulaski charged upon
their ranks (disordcred by the pursuits) and
cut down whole platoons.
On the evening previous to the battle, one
of the chaplains of the American army
preached to the soldiers an eloquent and
patriotic sermon from the text-"Tiey that
take the sword shall perish by the sword"
Gen. La Fayette was taken to the convent
Of the Moravian Nuns at Bethlehem, where
he received kind attention until once more
able to Join the army.
The British force being greatly superior to
the American, in every respect, Washington
concluded not to risk another engagement
but that night his troops retreated, and the
next dav marched to Germantown.
Sullivan has been ccnsured for negligence
in allowing himself to be surprised by the
British Army, but he was cleared from any
such inputation by committee of investiga.
ton. The Battle of Brandywine was mfor-
tunate for the American cause. although to
the royal forces it was dear victory. Their
loss was over eight hundred killed, wounded
and missing. The patriots lost in the same
manner over twelve hundred men, more than
two-thirls militia. Ten small cannon also
fell into the encmy's possession.