The Americans marched to Wilmington, and there entered camp upon some heights near to the Christiana and the Brandywine. Heavy parties were sent forward to come in touch with the enemy and harass his advance as much as possible. Howe landed his force at a point seventy miles from Philadelphia, and almost at once took up his line of march. The militia and other parties sent out by Washington rendered this progress much slower than it would otherwise have been, and in this way the American commander was given an opportunity to reconnoiter the roads and passes and fords.
“It looks,” said George Prentiss to Ben, “as though the general had made up his mind to risk a battle in the open.”
“He must, if he is to fight at all, I think,” said Ben. “And that he must fight is settled. Philadelphia, the city where Congress meets, must not be allowed to fall without a blow.”
“Right,” spoke Nat Brewster. “That would never do, as I look at it. Everything must be risked at this point; to desert the city, now that the enemy are approaching it, would be to lose its confidence forever.”
Talk of this sort ran through the American force, showing that the rank and file understood the position in which their officers stood. And the position was a most critical one. The great bulk of the army was made up of raw men, the militia of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware; and in no way was the American force to be compared to the British—neither in number, equipment nor discipline.
At White Clay Creek, General Maxwell’s sharpshooters encountered the British vanguard, and a spirited fight took place, the sharpshooters falling back, but the invaders meeting with much the greater loss. At first Washington selected a position on the east of Red Clay Creek, on the Philadelphia road; but he discovered the intention of Sir William Howe to pass the Brandywine, gain the heights to the north of the stream and so cut him off from Philadelphia; the American army was put in motion during the night and took possession of this point.
There were several crossings of the Brandywine and the best of them was in direct line with the enemy’s advance. This was called Chadd’s Ford, and here Washington stationed the main body of his army under Wayne, Weedon and Muhlenberg. Maxwell’s riflemen were also placed at this point, and Wayne’s and Proctor’s artillery were placed upon a hill commanding the ford. The right wing was in the care of General Sullivan, Sterling and Stephen, while the left, mainly militia, was commanded by General Armstrong.
What seemed to be the main body of the enemy began an advance on Chadd’s Ford early on the morning of September 11th. Washington rode along the ranks cheering his men and being cheered in return. The reports of the rifles of Maxwell’s men soon began to be heard across the Brandywine; after a long time spent in skirmishing, the sharpshooters themselves were driven across the stream. The enemy did not attempt to follow, but their artillery opened, and the American guns answered promptly.
While this was going on a rider from General Sullivan’s command dashed up to headquarters bearing the news that a heavy body of troops under Howe was pushing along the Lancaster road with the intent to cross at one of the upper fords and turn the American right flank. Instantly a party of riders were sent to ascertain the truth of this; then the Americans determined to cross the creek and attack those before them, word being sent to both wings to do likewise. But just as the movement was begun, word came by a militia major that there was no enemy in the quarter Howe was reported to be in, and instantly Washington halted the troops once more. Horsemen were scurrying backward and forward—all was in suspense. Finally a resident of the section, Squire Cheyney, came galloping up, breathless, and with horse covered with foam; he had come upon the main body of the British as they were hurrying along on the east side of the stream; they had fired upon him, but he had succeeded in reaching the American lines unhurt.
“You must move, General Washington,” he cried, “or you will be surrounded.”