battle of the Brandywine

battle of the Brandywine in the American Revolution, fought Sept. 11, 1777, along Brandywine Creek. The creek, formed by two small branches in SE Pennsylvania, flows southeast to join, near Wilmington, Del., the Christina River, which empties into the Delaware. The British under Sir William Howe were advancing on Philadelphia from Elkton, Md., and General Washington, realizing that they would cross the stream, placed most of his army at Chadds Ford. Howe sent General Wilhelm Knyphausen to feint an attack at Chadds Ford, while he himself, with General Cornwallis, struck the American right flank, where Gen. John Sullivan could not check the attack. Washington ordered a retreat to Chester, Pa. The British continued their advance and took Philadelphia (Sept. 27, 1777).

Bibliography: See H. S. Canby, The Brandywine (1941).

Brandywine, Battle of (11 September 1777) An engagement in the American War of INDEPENDENCE when British forces were attacking Philadelphia. Washington was outmanoeuvred by Sir William Howe and was forced to retreat with heavy losses. The British occupied Philadelphia on 27 September, but this victory was offset by SARATOGA less than a month later.