Today, 236 years ago, George Washington attempted to stop General Sir William Howe and a British force of nearly 18,000 men along the Brandywine River. He had been in the area since the 9th of September 1777, held a council of war in the Benjamin Ring house on the 10th, and engaged the British on the 11th. Around this time on that day, William Maxwell was harassing General Wilhelm von Knyphausen from the Kennett Meetinghouse all the way back to the river at Chadds Ford. William Maxwell had just been given command of a newly formed light infantry division that was comprised of nearly 100 men from each regiment along with several militia units. This detachment was highly mobile and although dense fog had hindered their ability to fight in the early humid, morning hours, it was still a formidable effort that slowed the British column. Knyphausen's force was made up of around 8,000-9,000 men and it was around this exact time that he reached the river. Upon reaching the west bank, he spread his lines wide and thin, set up his 12 lbs cannon and howitzers, and put on one of the biggest distractions Washington would be faced with. His goal: to convince Washington the entire British force was in front of him, across the river, while the majority of the British army under Howe was marching north to outflank Washington at two northern fords (Trimbles & Jeffries) that Washington had no knowledge of. Keep checking back today for updates about the battle and join us tonight, at 6pm as we commemorate the 236th anniversary along with the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Photo - H Company, Royal Regiment of Artillery, fires during, "REV TIMES" Which was once our annual reenactment, honoring the Battle of Brandywine ~ fought on September 11th 1777 (Photo courtesy of Helen S. Schwartz©) — at Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site.
The site has been posting accounts of the battle as the day progresses ~
2PMFrom Major General John Sullivan to George Washington. 2 pm. "Dear GeneralColonel Bland has this moment sent word taht the Enemy are in the rear of my right about two miles coming down. there is he says about two brigades of them. Yr Excy m. o. Servt.
Jno. SullivanHe also says he Saw a dust rise back in the country for above an hour"
Around this time Washington realizes his mistake. He gets word that the British are forming up on a place called Osborne's Hill (just North of Street Rd and Birmingham Rd). Washington has a window of an hour and moves three main divisions from their positions along the river, north to the Birmingham Mtg House area where he forms up into a second defensive position.
Photo - H Company, Royal Regiment of Artillery, fires during, "REV TIMES" Which was once our annual reenactment, honoring the Battle of Brandywine ~ fought on September 11th 1777 (Photo courtesy of Helen S. Schwartz©) — at Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site.
Jno. SullivanHe also says he Saw a dust rise back in the country for above an hour"
Around this time Washington realizes his mistake. He gets word that the British are forming up on a place called Osborne's Hill (just North of Street Rd and Birmingham Rd). Washington has a window of an hour and moves three main divisions from their positions along the river, north to the Birmingham Mtg House area where he forms up into a second defensive position.
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