Overview and Summary of the Battle of Brandywine
Following the Battle of Princeton there was little fighting, but in the summer of 1777, the British commander Sir William Howe set out to capture Philadelphia. Instead of marching his troops across New Jersey, he placed his army on board ships, and sailed to Chesapeake Bay. As soon as General George Washington learned about the intentions of Sir William he marched his army to Chadd's Ford, where the road from Chesapeake Bay to Philadelphia crossed Brandywine Creek. Sir William Howe moved his troops so it would look as thought they were about to attempt to cross the ford. Meantime he sent Charles Cornwallis with a strong force to cross Brandywine higher up. Battle of Brandywine took place on Thursday, September 11, 1777 at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Charles Cornwallis surprised the right wing of the American army, drove it back, and General George Washington was forced to retreat. Sir William Howe occupied Philadelphia and captured the forts below the city of Philadelphia. George Washington tried to surprise a part of the British army which was posted at Germantown but failed due to accidents and inclement weather including a heavy mist. The American army were forced to retire to Valley Forge, a strong place in the hills that were not far from Philadelphia.