Battle of Brandywine order of battle


At the Battle of Brandywine of September 11, 1777, an American army led by General George Washington fought a British-Hessian army commanded by General William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe. Washington drew up his troops in a defensive position behind Brandywine Creek. Howe sent Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen's 5,000 troops to demonstrate against the American front at Chadd's Ford. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis took 10,000 troops on a wide flank march that crossed the creek and got in the rear of the American right wing under Major General John Sullivan. The Americans changed front but Howe's attack broke through.
As Howe's wing made progress, Knyphausen converted his feint into a frontal attack on the American center. Washington's army was driven to the rear in disarray, but was saved from rout by Major General Nathanael Greene's rear guard action. Washington's army retreated to Chester, Pennsylvania while Howe occupied Wilmington, Delaware. The engagement took place in Chadds Ford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

British Army order of battle

General Sir William Howe
Quartermaster General: Brigadier General Sir William Erskine, 1st Baronet
''Note: Each brigade had two or four 3-pound or 4-pound cannons attached.''

Left Wing

Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis

Right Wing

Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen

American Army order of battle

General and Commander in Chief George Washington

Main Body

Sullivan's Wing