Instead of doing so he sailed down to Chesapeake Bay and there
disembarked the whole army, which had been pent up in transports from
July 3 to August 24. Not till September 11 did they advance in earnest
toward Philadelphia. The Americans thus had ample time to take up a
strong position and fortify it. This they did on the other side of
Brandywine Creek. Under cover of a cannonade the British advanced,
mastered the fort, and carried the intrenchments. General Sullivan, with
a considerable force, had now arrived, accompanied by General Washington
himself. He took up his position a short distance from the Brandywine,
his artillery well placed and his flanks covered with woods.
The following afternoon the British attacked. The Americans fought well,
but the British were not to be denied, and rushing forward drove the
enemy from their position into the woods in their rear. Here they made a
stand and were only dislodged after a desperate resistance. The greater
portion of them fled in all directions. Washington himself, with his
guns and a small force, retreated eight miles from Chester and then
marched by Derby to Philadelphia. Here he waited three days rallying his
troops, and then, having recruited his stores from the magazines,
marched away.
All this time the British remained inactive on the ground they had won.
In the battle the Americans lost 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400
prisoners. Several guns were also taken. The British lost 100 killed and
400 wounded.
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