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.Eggenberger, p. 59
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 (18,000)McGuire (2006), p. 172. The author gave British total strength. 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 CornwallisMcGuire (2006), p. 183. The author listed the organization and strengths of the major units of Howe's left wing. Unbrigaded: 16th Light Dragoons (200) Hessian and Anspach Jägers: Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb (500) Mounted Jäger company, Captain Richard Lorey (100) Artillery: 3rd Brigade Four 12-pound cannons & six 6-pound cannons
Guards Brigade: Brigadier General Edward Mathew (939)McGuire (2006), p. 33. This brigade was drawn by lottery from the three foot guard regiments.McGuire (2006), p. 379. The author gave the Guards company organization and strength for September 12, 1777. Elements of 1st Foot Guard, 2nd Foot Guard, and 3rd Foot Guard Regiments 1st Battalion (488) Grenadier company, Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Osborn, 4th Baronet (124)McGuire (2006), p. 6. The author named the company commander Osborn. Hyde's company (93) Wrottesley's company (91) Cox's company (90) Garth's company (90) 2nd Battalion (451) Stephen's company (88) Murray's company (89) O'Hara's company (87) Martin's company (91) Light company, Lieutenant Colonel Osborn (96)McGuire (2007), p. 234. Captain Thomas Twistleton led the light company but missed most of the campaign.McGuire (2006), p. 205. Osborn led both flank companies at Brandywine.
Light Infantry: (1,300)McGuire (2006), p. 205. The author gave the light infantry organization and commanders at Brandywine. 1st Light Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Abercromby of Airthrey Light companies of (from left to right in formation) 5th, 15th, 22nd, 27th, 33rd, 38th, 42nd, 35th, 28th, 23rd, 17th, 10th, and 4th Regiments. 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, Major John Maitland Light companies of (from left to right in formation) 37th, 43rd, 45th, 49th, 55th, 63rd, 71st, 64th, 57th, 52nd, 46th, 44th, and 40th Regiments. Grenadiers: (1,400)McGuire (2006), p. 205. The author gave the grenadier organization and commanders at Brandywine. 1st Grenadier Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel William Medows Grenadier companies of (from left to right in formation) 5th, 15th, 22nd, 27th, 33rd, 37th, 40th, 38th, 35th, 28th, 23rd, 17th, 10th, and 4th Regiments 2nd Grenadier Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Monckton Grenadier companies of (from left to right in formation) 43rd, 49th, 52nd, 57th, 64th, 71st, 63rd, 55th, Marines, 46th, 44th, and 42nd Regiments
3rd Brigade: Major General Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey (3,000 in 3rd and 4th Brigades)McGuire (2006), pp. 138, 153. The maps show the 3rd Brigade's composition. 15th Foot 17th Foot 42nd Foot 44th Foot 4th Brigade: Brigadier General James AgnewMcGuire (2006), p. 174. The map shows the 4th Brigade's composition. 33rd Foot 38th Foot 46th Foot 64th Foot Hessian Brigade: Colonel Carl von Donop (1,300)McGuire (2007), p. 154. The author listed the three grenadier battalions that fought at Red Bank. Linsing Grenadier Battalion Minningerode Grenadier Battalion Lengerke Grenadier Battalion
Right Wing
Lieutenant General Wilhelm von KnyphausenMcGuire (2006), pp. 173–75. The author listed all details of Knyphausen's wing except Stirn's brigade and the 71st Foot. Unbrigaded: Queen's Rangers, Captain James Weymss (300) Ferguson's Corps of Riflemen, Captain Patrick Ferguson (90) 16th Light Dragoons (200) 71st Foot (1,200) 1st and 3rd battalions guarding the baggage train.McGuire (2006), p. 244 2nd battalion (350) Artillery: 1st and 2nd Brigades Six 12-pound cannons & four howitzers Hessian Brigade: Major General Johann Daniel Stirn (2,000)McGuire (2006), p. 244. The author listed Stirn's strength as 2,000 with 4 regiments.Johnson, p. 70. The author listed Erbprinz and Donop at Germantown.McGuire (2007), p. 154. Mirbach fought at Red Bank. The fourth regiment is unknown. Erbprinz Infantry Regiment Donop Infantry Regiment Mirbach Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade: Major General James Grant (1,400) 4th Foot 23rd Foot 28th Foot 49th Foot 2nd Brigade: Major General Grant (1,300) 5th Foot 10th Foot 27th Foot 40th Foot, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Musgrave, John Graves Simcoe 55th Foot
American Army order of battle
General and Commander in Chief George Washington (12,000 regulars, 3,000 militia)McGuire (2006), p. 169. The author gave the army's total numbers.
Main Body Unattached: Chadds Ford redoubt: Colonel Thomas ProctorMcGuire (2006), p. 170. The author listed the commanding officer and the types of guns. 4th Continental Artillery Regiment: One 6-pound gun, two 4-pound guns, one 8-inch howitzer Light Infantry Corps: Brigadier General William Maxwell (1,000)McGuire (2006), p. 171. The author gives the strength only. About 100 soldiers were detached from each regular brigade to form this corps North Carolina Brigade: Brigadier General Francis Nash (1,094)Wright, p. 108. In July 1777 the nine regiments of the North Carolina Brigade numbered 131 officers and 963 rank and file. McGuire's listed strength of 1,500 was not used. 1st North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Thomas Clark 2nd North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Alexander Martin 3rd North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Jethro Sumner 4th North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Thomas Polk 5th North Carolina Regiment Colonel Edward Buncombe 6th North Carolina Regiment, Colonel Gideon Lamb 7th North Carolina Regiment, Colonel James Hogun 8th North Carolina Regiment 9th North Carolina Regiment Division: Major General John Armstrong Sr. (2,000)McGuire (2006), p. 171. The author gives the militia's strength and leaders. 1st Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: Brigadier General James Potter Philadelphia County Regiment, Moor Philadelphia County Regiment, McVaugh Bucks County Regiment, Maj. John Folwell Lancaster County Regiment, Col. James Watson Berks County Regiment, Col. Daniel Hunter York County Regiment, Col. James Thompson Cumberland County Regiment, Col. James Dunlap Pennsylvania Militia Brigade: Brigadier General James Irvine Philadelphia County Regiment, Lt. Col. Jonathan Smith Chester County Regiment, Col. William Evans Lancaster County Regiment, Col. Philip Greenwalt Lancaster County Regiment, Col. Alexander Lowry Northampton County Regiment, Col. David Udree
Division: Major General Nathanael Greene (2,500)McGuire (2006), p. 170. The author listed Greene's brigade commanders and total strength. 1st Virginia Brigade: Brigadier General Peter MuhlenbergMcGuire (2007), p. 56. The author listed the regiments in the 1st and 2nd Virginia Brigades at Germantown. 1st Virginia Regiment 5th Virginia Regiment, Lt. Col. Josiah Parker 9th Virginia Regiment, Colonel George Mathews 13th Virginia Regiment German BattalionWright (1989), p. 320 2nd Virginia Brigade: Brigadier General George Weedon 2nd Virginia Regiment 6th Virginia Regiment 10th Virginia Regiment 14th Virginia Regiment Pennsylvania State Regiment, Colonel Walter Stewart
Division: Brigadier General Anthony Wayne (2,000)McGuire (2006), p. 170. The author listed Wayne's brigade numbers and total strength. 1st Pennsylvania Brigade: Colonel Thomas HartleyMcGuire (2006), pp. 248–49. The author lists the two brigades' commanders and regiments. 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel James Chambers 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, Major William Williams 7th Pennsylvania Regiment 10th Pennsylvania Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Connor 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade: Colonel Richard Humpton 4th Pennsylvania Regiment 5th Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel Francis Johnston 8th Pennsylvania Regiment 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel Richard Humpton
Sullivan's Wing
Division: Major General John Sullivan (1,100 less 1st Delaware & 2nd Canadian)McGuire (2006), p. 171. The author listed the numbers of the detached 1st Delaware and 2nd Canadian, while giving the remainder of Sullivan's division only 1,100. 1st Maryland Brigade: Unknown commander (William Smallwood's brigade)McGuire (2007), p. 69. The author listed the organization of the two brigades at Germantown. 1st Maryland Regiment 3rd Maryland Regiment 7th Maryland Regiment 1st Delaware Regiment, Colonel David Hall (250) 2nd Maryland Brigade: Brigadier General Chevalier Philippe Hubert Preudhomme de BorreMcGuire (2006), p. 222. De Borre led the 2nd Maryland Brigade at Brandywine. 2nd Maryland Regiment 4th Maryland Regiment, Colonel Josias Carvil Hall 6th Maryland Regiment 2nd Canadian Regiment, Colonel Moses Hazen (400)
Division: Major General Adam Stephen (1,500)McGuire (2006), p. 170. The author lists Stephen's brigade commanders.McGuire (2006), p. 197. The author counts the strength of Stephen's two brigades. 3rd Virginia Brigade: Brigadier General William WoodfordWright, pp. 283–98. The author gave the lineage of the Virginia regiments. 3rd Virginia Regiment 7th Virginia Regiment 11th Virginia Regiment 15th Virginia Regiment 4th Virginia Brigade: Brigadier General Charles Scott 4th Virginia Regiment 8th Virginia Regiment 12th Virginia Regiment Grayson's Additional Continental RegimentWright (1989), p. 322 Patton's Additional Continental RegimentWright (1989), p. 323
Division: Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling (1,500)McGuire (2006), p. 170. The author listed Stirling's brigade commanders.McGuire (2006), p. 197. The author counts the strength of Stirling's two brigades. New Jersey Brigade: Brigadier General William MaxwellMaxwell led the Light Infantry Corps and the sources did not list who led the New Jersey Brigade. 1st New Jersey Regiment, Colonel Matthias OgdenMcGuire (2007), p. 89. The author listed the brigade's organization at Germantown.Wright, pp. 255–58. The author gave the lineage of the New Jersey Regiments. 2nd New Jersey Regiment 3rd New Jersey Regiment, Colonel Elias Dayton 4th New Jersey Regiment 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade: Brigadier General Thomas ConwayMcGuire (2007), p. 65. The author listed the regiments in Conway's brigade at Germantown. 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment 6th Pennsylvania Regiment 9th Pennsylvania Regiment 12th Pennsylvania Regiment Spencer's Additional Continental RegimentWright (1989), pp. 324–25
Notes Footnotes
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References
External links ushistory.org Regiments at Valley Forge