Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-11
"BRANDYWINE DAY"
AND A DAY IN 1777
Battle Won by the British Showed
the Mettle of the Continentals and
Cheered Their Commander-The
Fight for Philadelphia
By CHARLES F. KINGSLEY

BY CHARLES F. KINGSLEY
| TODAY is "Brandywine Day" The ami
Il versary OF a battle commonly regarded
as one OF the minor engagements OF the
Revolution. though followed by the British
occupation OF Philadelphia, is being cele-
brated with a pilgrimage 10 the historic
| ground and the dedication OF markers. Less
than a month after Brandywine came the
battle OF Germantown. and the following
winter was the winter Of Valley Forge. II
was "the gay winter OF the British IN the
capital
Brandywine on the 11th Of September,
| 1911, was the first event of the Campaign
on the Delaware"-the FIRST resistance offered
to the British plan TO take Philadelphia. In
| the summer Of 1911 practically all the Amer
lean territory in British hands was a small
area around New York city. The operations
then planned by the London Government
included the Lake Champlain movement, the
Mohawk Valley movement and an exped-
tion up the Hudson. Through some error
Howe failed to receive his orders TO go up
the Hudson from New York. and on his own
initiative decided to take Philadelphia.
Washington was in New Jersey watching
Howe. The British embarked at New York
on a great 1otlla of $50 vessels, landing at
the head of Chesapeake Bay, so miles south
west of Philadelphia. The progress Of the
fleet was reported from time to time by OBJ
servers on shore, who built great signal fires.
Washington kept moving southwark to pro-
tect the capital, and on September II the
two armies faced each other on opposite
sides of Brandywine Creek.
Army Redeems Itself
Washington had had many discouraging
,rriNt,
from the army almost as fast as they en-
listed, and sometimes saster and who, from
their lack Of training and of enthusiasm for
'the cause'-except when the enemy was In
the immediate neighborhood of their homes
proved most unsatisfactory soldiers. On his
way to intercept the British, Washington
marched his little army through Philadel-
phia. He hoped thus TO inspire the luke
warm and the patriotic. The men were
poorly clothed and armed, and to give them
selves some uniformity they wore sprigs Of
green in their hats.
Stone, in "The Struggle for the Delaware"
calls Brandywine a clear victory for the
British, but this statement should be taken
with reservations. There was much of real
success and real hope for the Americans as
the fruit of defeat. The Continentals fought
with great bravery, responding quickly and
gallantly to every demand upon them. They
were compelled to retreat, but they did not
come out Of the conflict demoralized Wash
ington rallied his troops, who were all in
excellent spirits, and marched down the Lam
caster road to fight again. A heavy storm
came on and wet the ammunition of both
armies, and so the battle did not take place.
Washington's faith in his men had returned
with the proof that Brandywine furnished
He himself had demonstrated anew his mar
velous capacity for handling supreme issues
with wisdom and steady nerve
The American force in this battle numbered
about 11,OOO Howe had $4,000 men. The loss
each side about 1000 Washington
was able to delay the British march on Phil
adelphia two weeks. Meanwhile many of
the inhabitants had fled. Hurriedly Congress
gave Washington the powers of a dictator
and got themselves out of the danger zone.
The British entered Philadelphia on septem-
ber %.
False Reports Play a Part
Though the Americans were outnumbered
at Brandywine the result might have been
somewhat different but for a poor informa-
tion service. That was before the days of
field telephones and aeroplanes Sullivan
in command of the right wing of the Amer-
iCdH dILly, IeCelNeu eTTOneOuS reports as TO
the movements of the British and WASH
ington, who followed the instincts of a great
soldier in advancing as he did, was misled
In the same way. Sullivan's conduct on this
occasion has been the subject of consider
able research. He made a labored report to
Congress explaining and "excusing' his
actions. Lodge accuses him of "culpable
ignorance of the country around him"
Washington wrote to him: What happened
on your march to the field of battle-your
disposition there and behavior during the
action, / can say nothing about, no part
until the retreat commenced having been
under my immediate observation. can
only add, therefore. that the whole tenor
Of your conduct, far as have had oppor-
tunity of Judging, has been spirited and
active" At any rate there was no uues
tion of the bravery and loyalty of officers
and men in that battle and they fought
hard and valiantly till night enabled them
to withdraw in safety to Chester.
The Pole, General Pulaski participated IN
this engagement, and Lafayette was se-
verely wounded.
The Continentals, from their hard training
at Brandywine and in the engagements fol-
lowing, acquired the fibre OF regulars when
Washington attacked the British at German
town on October L.
TEXAS VIEW OF CARRANZA
Carranza has been clamorinR for .,recoo
ntion" even demanding n indaad a. ~. ,I.ts.