1Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The American dispositions on the east side of Brandywine Creek probably were complete by the evening of 10 Sept. (map 2). Maj. Gen. John Armstrong’s two brigades of Pennsylvania militia were stationed at Gibson’s or Pyle’s Ford, a short distance south of Chadds Ford. Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene’s division held the ground immediately east of Chadds Ford, straddling the road leading to...
2I: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are now advancing. Their present appearance indicates a disposition to pursue this Route. If they do, I trust, they will meet with a suitable reception and such as will establish our Liberties. They are now advanced near the Brandiwine & have fired Several peices of Artillery. I am Sir with great respect Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , DNA:PCC , item 152; ADfS , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC ,...
3II: From Lieutenant Colonel James Ross, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
A large body of the enemy—from every account 5000, with 16 or 18 field pieces, marched along this Road just now. this Road leads to Taylor’s & Jeffries ferries on the Brandy wine, and to the Great Valley at the Sign of the Ship on the Lancaster Road to Philada. There is also a road from Brandy wine to Chester by Dilwo[r]th’s tavern —we are close in their rear with about 70 men. Capt. Simpson...
4III: To Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I earnestly entreat continuance of your vigilant attention to the movements of the Enemy and the earliest report, not only of their movements, but of their number, & the course they are pursuing. In a particular manner, I wish you to gain satisfactory information of a body confidently reported to have gone up to a Ford Seven or Eight miles above this. It is said the Fact is certain. You will...
5IV: From Major General John Sullivan, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I Sent you the message by Major Morris I Saw Maj⟨or⟩ J⟨ose⟩ph Spear of the Militia who Came This morning from a Tavern Called Martins on the Forks of Brandywine he Came from thence to Welches Tavern & heard nothing of the Enemy about the Forks of the Brandywine & is Confident they are not in that Quarter So that Colo. Hazens Information must be wrong—I have Sent to that Quarter to know...
6V: From Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have discoverd a party of the Enemy on the Heights Just on the Right of two Widow dav⟨i⟩s’s who live close together on the Road calld the fork road, about half a mile to the Right of the meeting house (Birmingham) There is a higher Hill to their front. ALS , DLC:GW . One of the widows was Susannah Davis (d. 1782), who owned eight acres of land in East Bradford Township along the road running...
7VI: From Major General John Sullivan, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Bland has this moment Sent me word that the Enemy are in the Rear of my Right about two miles Coming Down. there is he Says about two Brigades of them. Yr Excy m. o. Servt he also Says he Saw a Dust Rise back in the Country for above an hour. ALS , DLC:GW .
8VII: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing you this morning, I mentioned, that the Enemy were advancing and had began a Canonade; I would now beg leave to inform you, that they have kept up a brisk fire from their Artillery ever since. Their advanced party was attacked by our light Troops under Genl Maxwell, who crossed the Brandiwine for that purpose and had posted his Men on some high Grounds on...
9VIII: To John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that in this days engagement we have been obliged to leave the enemy masters of the field. Unfortunately the intelligence received of the enemy’s advancing up the Brandywine, & crossing at a ford about six miles above us, was uncertain & contradictory, notwithstanding all my pains to get the best. This prevented my making a disposition adequate to the force with which...