History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 19

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 19

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Up to the 3d of September the enemy had made but little progress towards Philadelphia. Gen. Maxwell had advanced, with a body of light troops, to Iron Hill, in Pencader Hun- dred, Delaware, where on that day he was attacked by a column of the British army led by Lord Cornwallis, and driven beyond White Clay Creck, with a loss of forty killed and wounded. Up to the 5th of September the main body of the American army had remained in the vicinity of Wilmington, where some works had been thrown up. On that day the whole body was removed to Newport, and occupied a position between that place and Red Clay Creek, except Gen. Irwin's brigade, which remained at Wilming- ton in charge of the works at that place. According to the best information that could then be obtained, the British troops were spread over a " considerable space of country, but in a detached way, from Couch's Mills to some part of Nottingham."

Pursnant to a recommendation of Congress, a call was made by the Executive Council on the 6th of September for five thousand militia, in addition to those already in the

---

field. They were ordered to rendezvous on the heights of Darby, " with what arms they have or can procure, and otherwise equipped in the best manner they may be able." These equipments, including blankets, in case they were taken by the enemy or otherwise unavoidably lost, were to be paid for by the State.

In order to strengthen the army Gen. Washington had withdrawn nearly all the troops from the defensive works on the Delaware. The Navy Board became apprehensive " that some parts of the enemy's fleet would soon attempt to invade the city," and on the 5th of September commu- nicated its plans of defense to the Executive Council. Hcg Island and the meadows were to be laid under water ; flats and boats should be provided to make a bridge from Fort Island to Province Island; ninety or one hundred men should be put in the fort at Darby Creck ; four pieces of cannon should be got to Billingsport; some person to be put in charge of the fort at Fort Island, and thirty men to be ready to be put on Bush Island. In pursuance of these suggestions, Col. Jehu Eyre, with two companies of militia artillery, was ordered to repair to the works that have been named, where, in conjunction with the commanders of the fleet, he was to exert himself " to take, burn, sink, or other- wise destroy the enemy's ships or vessels that may attempt to invade this or the neighbouring States." He was promised a reinforcement of militia from Bucks County.

. Information having been communicated to the American camp at Newport that the enemy had disencumbered them- selves of all heavy baggage, Gen. Washington at once de- termined to put his army in a like condition. A requisition was made by the quartermaster-general, on the 7th of Sep- tember, upon the Executive Council for a sufficient number of teams for the removal of all baggage except blankets and a few small clothes. These teams were "to be placed in the rear of the divisions, and immediately on an alarm the tents and small packs left with the men were to be sent over Brandywine."

THE BATTLE OF THE BRANDYWINE.

Up to the 8th of September the opinion was entertained by Gen. Armstrong that the British would probably re-em- bark on the Delaware, cross over, and land at some conve- nient point on the Jersey shore, march up to the cheraux- de frize, accompanied by the vessels of force, which he expected would bombard Philadelphia. On the very day that Gen. Armstrong communicated this opinion to the Council a movement of the enemy proved that it was not well founded. Gen. Washington had strengthened the position he then occupied, and, regarding it as probable that the fate of Philadelphia would be there decided, he had resorted to every means in his power to encourage his troops and stimulate them to the greatest exertions. But the movements of the enemy indicated a design to turn the right of the American army, and to cut off all communica- tion with Philadelphia. Washington decided at once to change his ground, and that night crossed the Brandywine, and took a position behind that stream at Chad's Ford. Gen. Maxwell was posted west of the ford, on the road, and Gen. Armstrong was assigned a position on the east side of the Brandywine, about. two miles below, which enabled. him

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

to guard two fords, now known as Pyle's Ford and Corner Ford. In order to fortify the position at Chad's Ford a breastwork was hastily thrown up on the bluff bordering on the flat ground a little north of the main road. Part of the main army was stationed above the ford to guard other passes.

This division of the American army has been estimated numerically at fifteen thousand, including the Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Gen. Armstrong. Chief Justice Marshall, who was present at the battle of Brandywine, estimates the effective force of the Americans at eleven thousand, including the militia, and assigns his reasons why there should be such a large number of men unfit for mili- tary duty. Thus posted, and with this small body of effec- tives, Washington patiently awaited the approach of the greatly superior force of the enemy.

On the evening of the 9th of September the British army entered Chester County in two divisions, one of which, under Gen. Knyphausen, eocamped at New Garden and Kennet Square, and the other, under Cornwallis, a short distance below Hockesson Meeting-house. Early next day they united at Kennet Square, whence in the evening the forces under Knyphausen advanced towards Welsh's tavern, now known as the "Anvil," probably for the convenience of water, and those under Cornwallis remained encamped on the bills north and west of Kennet Square.

Peter De Haven to Vice-president Bryan:

" FRENCH CREEK, September 10, 1777.

"Sir, Wee have got sum information that thare is part of Mr. How's army within four miles of Downins Town, and I believe thoy intend for our Magazene, and we are in a very poor situation for defending it. I should be very glad if you would send a proper Gard for this place."

On the morning of the 11th the army divided into two columns, one division, under Knyphausen, marching directly through Kennet and Pennsbury townships to Chad's Ford by the Philadelphia road, and the other, un- der Cornwallis, and accompanied by Sir William Howe, taking a cireuitons route, traversing portions of the town- ships of Kennet, East Marlborough, Newlin, West Brad- ford, East Bradford, and Birmingham, crossing the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble's Ford, a short dis- tance south of Marshallton, and the east branch mainly at Jefferis' Ford, and approaching Birmingham Meeting-house from the north, the object of these movements being to hem the Americans in between the two forces, and thus make them an easy prey.

The column under Cornwallis set out about daybreak, and that under Knyphansen about nine o'clock. A very dense and heavy fog continued until a late hour. The column under Knyphausen skirmished with the advanced parties of the American army sent forward to harass the march of the British troops. Maxwell's corps, which occu- pied the hills west of the Brandywine, was driven across the stream after a severe engagement, and joined the main body of the American army, which was ranged in order of battle, awaiting thic attack of the enemy. Knyphausen paraded on the heights, reconnoitred the American army, and appeared to be making dispositions to force the passage of the creck. A skirt of woods, with the stream, divided

him from Maxwell's corps, small parties of whom occasion- ally crossed over, and kept up a scattering fire, by which not much execution was done. At lenth one of these par- ties, led by Captains Waggoner and Porterfield, engaged the British flank-guard very closely, killed a captain, with ten or fifteen privates, drove them out of the wood, and were on the point of taking a field-piece. The sharpness of the skirmish soon drew a large body of the British to that quarter, and the Americans were again driven over the Brandy wine.

Gen. Cornwallis, with the larger division of the British army, under the cover of the hills and forests, and aided by the fog, proceeded in the circuitous route a considerable distance unobserved, and must have reached the hills south of Trimble's Ford about the time that Knyphansen moved from his position east of Kennet Square. Some cannons were discharged at this point (and cannon-balls have been found in the vicinity), for which it is difficult to account, unless they were designed to notify Knyphausen that they had gained a midway position, or to direct him to march to the ford.

Gen. Sullivan, who commanded the right wing of the American army, had received instructions to guard the fords as high up as Buffington's (now Shaw's), just above the forks of the Brandywine, and scouting-parties were sent out in various directions to watch the movements of the enemy. About one o'clock intelligence was brought that the enemy's left wing was about crossing the Brandy- wine above its forks, and Col. Bland sent word to Wash- ington that a large force was seen advancing up the road towards Trimble's Ford, and this was confirmed by a note from Col. Ross, who was in their rear, and who estimated the force that he liad seen at not less than five thousand. Washington, on receiving this intelligence of a large divi- sion being so far separated from the army at Chad's Ford, formed the design of detaching Sullivan and Lord Stirling to engage the column conducted by Cornwallis should he attempt to cross the stream, while he in person should cross over with the residue of the troops and attack the forces under Knyphansen.

In pursuance of this determination, Stirling was dis- patched with a considerable force to occupy the high ground in the vicinity of Birmingham Meeting-house, while other necessary dispositions were made upon the left. At the critical moment, when the plan was abont to be executed, counter-intelligence was received, inducing the opinion that the movement of Cornwallis was merely a feint, and that, after making demonstrations of crossing the Brandywine above its forks, he must actually have marched down the right bank of the stream, and was about to re-unite his column with that of Knyphausen. This opinion was con- firmed. by the report of a number of light-horse that had been sent to reconnoitre.

While Washington was in a state of painful uncertainty, produced by these conflicting accounts, Squire Thomas Cheyney, a citizen of Thornbury township, rode up to the forces under Sullivan with intelligence that the main body of the British army had crossed the Brandywine and was already at hand, approaching from the north ; and, be- ing uncourteously received by that general, demanded to

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HEAD QUARTERS OF GEN. WASHINGTON AT THE BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. (RES. OF BENJAMIN RING.)

HEAD QUARTERS OF LA FAYETTE AT THE BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. ( RES. OF GIDEON GILPIN.)

GENERAL HISTORY.

be led to the commander-in-chief. This was done, and although Washington was at first disposed to doubt the correctness of the information, he was at length convinced of its truth, and immediately disposed of his troops to meet the emergency. It is said that some of the general's staff spoke rather sneeringly and incredulously of the rustic squire's information, which roused his temper. " If you doubt my word," said he to the commander-in-chief, " put me under guard until you can ask Anthony Wayne or Persie Frazer if I am a man to be believed ;" and then, turning to the general's attendants, he indignantly ex- claimed, " I would have you to know that I have this day's work as much at heart as e'er a blood of you !"

As soon as Washington became convinced that a large division of the enemy had crossed the Brandywine above, be immediately made a change in the disposition of his force .* The divisions commanded by Generals Sullivan, Stirling, and Stephens advanced farther up the Brandy- wine, and fronted the British columns marching down that stream. The division commanded by Gen. Wayne remained at Chad's Ford, to keep Knyphausen in check, in which service Maxwell was to co-operate. Greene's division, ac- companied by Washington in person, formed a reserve, and took a central position between the right and left wings.

The divisions detached against Lord Cornwallis formed on an advantageous piece of ground above Birmingham Friends' Meeting-house, chiefly within what is now the lawn surrounding the dwelling of Mrs. Biddle, bothı flanks being covered with a thick wood. Stirling's detachment advanced to within a short distance of the meeting-house, where he awaited the approach of the enemy. After wait- ing for some time the ncar approach of the British was an- nounced, when Stirling endeavored to secure the highest ground in the immediate vicinity of the meeting-house ; but when he reached that point the British had so nearly gained it that he could not have formed before they would have been upon him. In this dilemma he threw a small force into the graveyard, which was inclosed with a stone wall, for the purpose of giving the enemy employment until he could form his men on the rising ground in the rear. This hody, after having made an obstinate resistance, re- joined the main division.

Unfortunately, Sullivan's division, in taking its position, took too large a circuit, and was scarcely formed when the attack commenced. The battle began about half-past four o'clock, and was kept up warmly for some time. The right, having been formed under the enemy's fire, first gave way, and by its flight exposed that flank of the remaining divi- sions to a galling fire. The line continued to break from the right, and in a short time was completely routed. The right wing made some attempts to rally, but being briskly charged, again broke, and the flight became general.

Upon the commencement of the action on the right, the reserve division under Washington and Greene pressed for-

ward to the support of that wing; but before its arrival the rout was complete, and nothing could be done but check the pursuit. For this purpose the Tenth Virginia Regi- ment, commanded by Col. Stephens, and a regiment from Pennsylvania, commanded by Col. Stewart (neither of which had been in action), were posted advantageously on the road taken by the defeated army. Though dispersed by Gen. Howe, these regiments did good service in putting an end to the pursuit. To the same end Gen. Greene con- tributed largely. Placing himself at the head of Muhlen- berg's brigade, in the rear of the retreating army, he kept up, especially from his cannon, so destructive a fire as greatly to retard the advance of the enemy. At one time, it is said, he opened his columns for the fugitives, and closed them against their pursuers. Arriving at length at a nar- row defile, strongly secured on its right and left by thickets or woods, he immediately halted, sent forward his cannon, that they might be out of danger in case of being compelled to a hasty retreat, and formed his troops, determined to dis- pute the pass with small-arms, notwithstanding the vast superiority of his assailants. He effected his purpose with complete success, for, though he was dislodged by Howe, the pursuit was abandoned.

When the American right was found to be fully engaged with Lord Cornwallis, Knyphausen made real dispositions for crossing the Brandywine. Chad's Ford was defended by an intrenchment and battery with three field-pieces and a howitzer, this division of the army being under the com- mand of Gen. Wayne. After some resistance the work was forced, and, the defeat of the right being known, the left wing also withdrew from the ground ..

The whole American army retreated towards Chester, arriving there by different roads, and at different times, in the night.t

+ The reproduction of the following lines, by the late T. Buchanan Read, from his " Wagoner of the Alleghanies," is particularly appro- priate : "The hour was loud, but louder still Anon the rage of hattle roared Its wild and murderous will ; From Jefferis' down to Wistar's Ford, From Jones' to Chad's, the cannon poured,

While thundered Osborne Hill. Oh, ne'er before fled holy calm From out its sainted house of prayer So frighted through the trembling air As from that shrine of Birmingham.

" Oft through the opening cloud we scanned The shouting leaders, sword in hand, Directing the tumultuous seenc :

There galloped Maxwell, gallant Bland, The poet-warrior, while between,

Ringing o'er all his loud command, Dashed the intrepid Greene;

" Here Sullivan in fury trooped, There Weedon like an eagle swooped, With Muhlenberg,-where they were grouped The invader dearly earned his gains;

And (where the mad should only be, The fiercest champion of the free)

The loudest trumpet-call was Wayne's, While in a gale of battle-glee, With rapid sword and pistol dealing The blows which set the foeman reeling, Sped ' Light-horse Harry Lee.'"

* Gen. Sullivan, who commanded the right of the American army, has been much censured for failing to obtain correct knowledge of the diversion of a part of the British forces at the battle of Brandy wine that resulted in our defeat. The charges made against that officer and his defense will be found in the bulletin of the Hist. Society of Penna., vol. i. No. 8.

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The loss on the side of the British was one hundred killed and four hundred wounded. The loss on the side of the Americans was nine hundred killed and wounded. Among the wounded was the Marquis de la Fayette. As but few Americans were killed or wounded in the retreat, the inequality in the loss sustained has been attributed to the inferiority of their arms, many of their muskets being wholly unfit for service.

The following is copied from a memorandum once in the possession of Col. Thomas Forrest. It was presented to John F. Watson by the late Dr. Thomas F. Betton :

"State of British forces and disposition Sept. 11, 1777.

At the upper Fords under the command of Lt. Cornwallis:

2d Regt. British Guards {

.1740 Killed and wounded. 612

2d Brigade British. Hessians.

800

...

let

Fargason's Riflemen 80

..... 46

4860

1078

Middle Ford under Maj .- Gen. Gray :

2 Battalions of Guards. 500

and 42d Regt. Highlanders ..

700

and 71st Regt. Highlanders 700

1900

Lower Chads Ford under the command of Knyphausen :

2 Brigades British consisting

4th, 5th, 15th, 23d, 27th, 28th,

2240 Killed and wounded. ... 580

40th, 49th, and 55th.

800

Queen Rangers ..

480

290

Grand total 10,280

1976

"Lost at Brandywine Sept. 11, 1777, 1976."

" The above is a true copy of a return found on one of the British officers, Marquet, at the time of the engagement at Germantown, Oct. 4,1777."#

Gen. Howe has received great applause for the plan of this battle, which, but for one circumstance, was the very best that could have been adopted. The circuit taken by the division under Cornwallis was too great. Had Gen. Washington received early and correct information of the wide separation of the two divisions of the British army, he would have crossed the Brandywine with his whole force and made an attack on Knyphausen, with almost a certainty of success, and could have been ready to meet the division under Cornwallis by the time it arrived, or upon some future day, as best suited his convenience. To one acquainted with the distance and the ground traveled over by the detached wing of the British army, the taking of such a wide circuit appears like a serions mistake on the part of Lord Howe, and one that would have changed the fate of the day but for the extraordinary combination of circumstances that kept Washington in ignorance or in doubt in respect to the extent and character of the move- ment until it was too late to take advantage of it.

Upon the arrival of Gen. Washington at Chester he addressed the following letter to Congress, by whose order it was published :

" CHESTER, September 11, 1777. Twelve

O'Clock at Night."

" Sir:

"I am sorry to inform you, that in this day's engagemeot, we havo been obliged to leave the enemy masters of the field. Unfortunately the intelligence received of the Enemy's advancing up the Brandy- wine and crossing at a ford about six miles above na, was uncertain and contradictory, notwithstanding all my plans to get the best. This

prevented my making a disposition adequate to the force with which the enemy attacked ns on our right; in consequence of which, the troops first engaged were obliged to retire, before they could be rein- forced .- In the midst of the attack on the right, that body of the enemy that remained on the other side of Chad's ford, crossed it and attacked the division there under the command of General Wayne, and the light troops under General Maxwell; who after a severe con- flict, also retired. The Militia under the command of General Arm- strong, being posted at a ford about two miles below Chad's, had no opportunity of engaging.

"But though we fought under many disadvantages, and were from the cause above mentioned, obliged to retire, yet our loss of men ie not, I am persuaded, very considerable; I believe much less than the enemy's. We have also lost seven or eight pieces of cannon according to the best information I can at present obtain .- The baggage having been previously moved off ie all secure; saving the men's blankets, which being at their backa, many of them doubtless are lost :

"I have directed all the troops to assemble behind Chester, where they are new arranging for the night .- Notwithstanding the misfor- tunes of the day, I am happy to find the troops in good spirits; and I hope another time we shall compensate for the losses now Bus- tained.

"The Marquis La Fayette was wounded in the leg, and General Woodford in the hand. Divers other officers were wounded and some slain, but the numbers of either cannot now be ascertaincd.

"G. WASHINGTON.

" P. S. It has not been in my power to send you earlier intelligence; the present being the first leisure moment I have since the engage- ment."

On the next day the American army marched through Darby to Philadelphia, where it was probably joined by straggling parties who had not reached Chester. One of these, accompanied by a wagon-load of the wounded, with a surgeon, reached Gibbons' tavern, in Springfield, about ten o'clock on the night of the battle. Here their wounds were dressed, and their wants supplied with everything the bonse could afford. They left early in the morning, for fear of being overtaken by the enemy.

While the American army was stationed on the Brandy- wine Washington occupied the dwelling of Benjamin Ring, a mile from Chad's Ford, as his headquarters. This house is now owned by Joseph Turner, and has undergone some modifications since it was occupied by the " Father of his Country." The annexed lithograph represents the appear- ance the building then presented, as nearly as those who had been acquainted with it could convey the same to the artist, with the exception that it then had what is called a hipped roof.

The quarters of Lafayettet were at the dwelling of Gideon Gilpin, who was still living in the same house when Lafayette visited this country in 1825. The procession that accompanied the general to the Brandywine battle- ground stopped in front of the house while he paid bis respects to old Gideon, who was then on his death-bed. This property is now owned by Joseph Turner.

A little above the road leading from Dilworth's town to Brandywine, on the descending ground, there stood a small house, occupied by a man named Brown at the time of the battle. When Brown discovered that the Americans were retreating, followed by the British, he ran out of his house and huzzaed for King George at the top of his voice. An

t On September 7, 1781, when the allied armies were on their march from King's Ferry (ou Hudson River) to Head of Elk, when they reached Wilmington the French staff-officers turned aside to visit the field of Brandywine, where Lafayetto first distinguished himself as an officer. This was four years after that memorable battle.

# Penna. Magazine, iv. 121.

2d " Light Infantry

2240

... 360

1st Brigade Hessians.

GENERAL HISTORY.

American rifleman, within hearing, indignant at his treach- ery, shot Brown just as he re-entered his dwelling, the ball passing through the fleshy part of his arm.

In the fight at Birmingham Meeting-house a party of the Americans for a time occupied a position inside of the rear wall of the graveyard. A number of the British fell here. The killed of both armies who fell in the vicinity of the meeting-house were buried in the graveyard which partly surrounds it, their remains occupying one common grave just inside of the gate, and on the side next to the meeting-house. The meeting-house was used as a hospital while the British army remained in the neighborhood.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 19

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162