General Sullivan attacked the Hessians, who were the advance guard, who returned the fire, and soon the action became general. The artillery of both sides opened with terrible effect, and while the Americans held their position, the carnage was great.
The right wing of the American army under General Debarre gave way first, and the left under General Sullivan, soon followed. The latter tried to rally his troops, but fled over the fields toward the main army at Chadd’s Ford.
Sterling’s division in the center remained firm. General Sullivan attached himself to this division, and with Lafayette he engaged personally in the hottest of the battle. Cornwallis used his artillery with telling effect. Two of Sullivan’s aides were killed and Lafayette fell with a wounded leg. The troops fled into the woods, but were again rallied and after a sharp conflict again retreated.
When Washington learned of the approach of the British, he pushed forward with Green’s division of Pennsylvanians and Virginians to the support of Sullivan, leaving Wayne at Chadd’s Ford to oppose Knyphausen. Green, by a skillful movement, opened his ranks and received the fleeing troops and closed them again.
Wayne was on the alert, and the moment Knyphausen moved forward he opened a heavy artillery fire upon him. Soon as he learned of Sullivan’s defeat he retreated.
The approach of night ended the bloody conflict, but not soon enough to prevent the American army from a defeat which was most distressing to the American cause at this critical period.
Mob Storms Mifflin County Courthouse
September 12, 1791
September, 1791, an incident occurred during a term of court in Mifflin County, which has since been known as the Lewistown Riot.