and took post on the high ground near Chadd's ford, on the Brandywine creek, with an intention of disputing the passage. It was the wish, but by no means the interest, of the Americans to try their strength in an engagement. Their regular troops were not only inferior in discipline, but in numbers, to the royal army. The opinion of the inhabitants, though founded on no circumstances more substantial than their wishes, imposed a species of necessity on the American general to keep his army in front of the enemy, and to risk an action for the security of Philadelphia. Instead of this, had he taken the ridge of high mountains on his right, the British must have respected his numbers, and probably would have followed him up the country. In this manner the campaign might have been wasted away in a manner fatal to the invaders. But the bulk of the American people were so impatient of delays, and had such an overweening conceit of the numbers. and prowess of their army, that they could not comprehend the wisdom and policy of manœuvres to shun a general engagement.

On this occasion necessity dictated, that a sacrifice should be made on the altar of public opinion. A general action was therefore hazarded. This took place at Chadd's ford,

on the Brandywine, a small stream which empties itself into Christiana creek, near its confluence with the river Delaware.

The royal army advanced at daybreak in two columns, commanded by lieutenant general Kniphausen, and by lord Cornwallis. The first took the direct road to Chadd's ford, and made a show of passing it in front of the main body of the Americans. At the same time the other column moved up on the west side of the Brandywine to its fork, and crossed both its branches about two o'clock in the afternoon, and then marched down on its eastern side, with a view of turning the right wing of their adversaries. This they effected, and compelled them to retreat with great loss. General Kniphausen amused the Americans with the appearance of crossing the ford; but did not attempt it until lord Cornwallis, having crossed above, and moved down on the opposite side, had commenced his attack. Kniphausen then crossed the ford, and attacked the troops posted for its defence. These, after a severe conflict, were forced to give way. The retreat of the Americans soon became general, and was continued to Chester. The final issue of battles often depends on small circumstances which human prudence cannot control. One of these oc& 3 curred

curred here, and prevented Washington from executing a bold design, to effect which his troops were actually in motion. This was, to have crossed the Brandywine, and attacked Kniphausen, while general Sullivan and lord · Stirling should keep earl Cornwallis in check. In the most critical moment, Washington received intelligence, which he was obliged to credit, that the column of lord Cornwallis had been only making a feint, and was returning to join Kniphausen. This prevented the execution of a plan which, if carried into effect, would probably have given a different turn to the events of the day. The killed and wounded in the royal army were near 600; the loss of the Americans was twice that number.

Washington made every exertion to repair the loss which had been sustained. The battle of Brandywine was represented as not being decisive. Congress and the people wished to hazard a second engagement for the security of Philadelphia. Howe sought for it, and Washington did not decline it. therefore advanced as far as the. Warren 1 tavern on the Lancaster road, with an intention of meeting his adversary. Near that place both armies were on the point of engaging with their whole force, but wère pre

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vented by a most violent storm of rain, which continued for a day and night. When the rain ceased, the Americans found that their ammunition was entirely ruined; they therefore withdrew to a place of safety. Before a proper supply was procured, the British marched from their position, near the White Horse tavern on the Lancaster road, down towards the Swedes ford. The Americans again took post in their front; but the British, instead of urging an action, began to march up towards Reading, to save the stores which had been deposited in that place. Washington took a new position, and left the British in undisturbed possession of the roads which lead to Philadelphia. His troops were worn down by a succession of severe duties. There were in his army above 1,000 men who were barefooted, and who had performed all their late movements in that condition.

Though Washington had failed in his object of saving Philadelphia, yet he retained the confidence of congress and his country. With an army inferior in numbers, discipline, and equipments, he delayed the British army thirty days in advancing sixty miles through an open country without fortifications, and the waters of which were every where fordable. Though defeated in one general action,

he kept together his undisciplined and unprovided army, and in less than a week offered battle to his successful adversary. When this was prevented by a storm of rain which ruined his ammunition, at the time that many of his soldiers were without bayonets, he extricated them from the most imminent danger, and maintained a respectable standing. Instead of immediately retiring into winter quarters, he approached the enemy, and encamped on the Skippach road, about twenty miles from Philadelphia and sixteen from Germantown. In these two positions the British army took their stand, in about fifteen days after-the battle of Brandywine. From them, especially the last, considerable detachments were sent to Chester and the vicinity, to favor an attempt to open the navigation of the river Delaware, which had been obstructed with great industry and ingenuity by the Americans.

About the time this division of the British army was made, the American army received a reinforcement of 2,500 men, which increased its effective force to 11,000.

Washington conceived that the present moment furnished a fair opportunity for enterprise; he therefore resolved to attack the British in Germantown. Their line of en

campment