Battle of Brandywine
Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA
What happened
George Washington's Continental Army fought a British army under General Sir William Howe. The British army marched to capture Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress met. Washington's army defended the crossings of Brandywine Creek. While one British force attacked at Chadds Ford, a larger force under Lord Cornwallis made a long march around the American flank, and after about 11 hours of fighting the Americans had to retreat.
Why it matters
Why it matters: More soldiers fought at Brandywine than in any other battle of the American Revolution. It opened the way for the British to take Philadelphia.
What came next
The British marched into Philadelphia on 26 September 1777 and held it until June 1778. The Continental Congress fled to Lancaster and then York.
Timeline
- 11 September 1777The British win at Brandywine.
- 26 September 1777The British occupy Philadelphia.
- June 1778The British leave Philadelphia.
- 1949Brandywine Battlefield Park is created.