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A History | Revolutionary War Battles | The Battle of Brandywine - September 10, 1777
The Battle of Brandywine - September 10, 1777
On August 25, 1777, Gen. Howe moved his troops south by sea to threaten Philadelphia. He landed his troops on
the west side of the Elk River. After a week of rest, Howe marched his troops north toward Philadelphia. George
Washington responded by marching his army south through Philadelphia to meet Howe. After harassing Howe's advance
for a few days, Washington placed his army behind Brandywine Creek. The creek was crossable only at a number of
fords. At 4:00 AM on the 10th of September, while part of his army was engaged in a diversionary attack against
Chads Ford, Howe took the bulk of his army on a long march through back roads to cross at Trimble and Jeffries
Fords at the end of Washington's unanchored lines. Howe successfully crossed the fords and brought his troops
to Osborne Hill, outflanking Washington's troops. The American troops redeployed, trying to block the British.
At 4:00 PM, the British troops set off down the hill to the music of the British Grenadier. They marched through
a hole in the American lines, but the Americans quickly converged on them. The battle raged for hours. Desperate
hand to hand fighting ensued. By nightfall, Washington was forced to withdraw. The British had won the day, but
Washington's army was still intact.
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