The horsemen, sent out earlier, now returned, confirming this. The British main body, under Cornwallis, was sweeping down upon the right wing. Without hesitation, Washington’s orders were given. Sullivan was to attack the invaders, Sterling’s and Stephen’s brigades were to support him. Wayne was to hold Chadd’s Ford and see to it that the German Knyphausen did not cross, while General Greene was to hold his command ready to dash in wherever needed.
Sullivan followed his orders, but the time which had elapsed between the warning and the orders reaching him enabled Cornwallis to select his own ground. Taken at a complete disadvantage, the Americans broke on each wing; the center stood firm, but receiving the concentrated fire of the enemy, it, too, gave way. The young Lafayette, who had begged permission to go where the fight would be thickest, seeing that the pursuing British became entangled in the wood, leaped from his horse and made a gallant attempt to rally the broken division of Sullivan.
“He proves true under the guns of the enemy,” spoke Nat Brewster, admiringly.
Ben Cooper paused and wiped away the perspiration which streamed from his face.
“I knew he would, the first time I——” Suddenly he stopped and uttered a cry; then both he and Nat drove spurs to their horses and raced forward.
As Lafayette strove with the disorganized rabble of fleeing militia, a mass of British suddenly appeared, emerging from the wood; their pieces sent a volley into the fugitives, and at the discharge Lafayette fell. Side by side Ben Cooper and the stalwart Nat Brewster swept forward; as they neared the young Frenchman they opened a trifle, then bending simultaneously, their horses slowing, they lifted him from the ground, swung him across Nat’s horse—turned in the very teeth of the oncoming British, and sped away.
Washington came up with fresh troops, and the Americans made a stand upon a hill near Dilworth; but again they were driven back with much loss.
Knyphausen, hearing the heavy firing, which was his signal to move in earnest, made a rush to cross Chadd’s Ford. Wayne’s and Proctor’s artillery began to sound and Maxwell’s riflemen picked off the advance. General Greene was also preparing to oppose the oncoming German, when Ezra Prentiss rode up with orders from the commander-in-chief that he come to the aid of the right wing, which was in desperate peril.
Without the waste of a moment the division of Greene was put into motion and never was there more rapid marching. It is said that the brigade covered the distance of five miles in less than fifty minutes. But, for all his gallant effort, he was too late to prevent defeat. However, he was well in time to cover the retreat; with his field pieces well planted he kept up a steady fire; again and again his ranks opened to allow the blocks of fugitives to pass to the rear. It was a spot selected by Washington the day before as an excellent one for a stand should the army be driven from its first position, and right well did it prove his judgment.
Cornwallis, flushed with success, came on with the exultation of a victor; he had seen the Americans running away, and thought in the pursuit to deal them a fatal blow. But Greene with his guns, and Muhlenberg’s and Weedon’s brigades met them fairly and drove them back repeatedly. Finally the British became so exhausted that Greene saw his opportunity and drew off his men in an orderly manner; and so threatening were his guns, so desperate the aspect of his grim ranks that the enemy did not make any effort at pursuit. Wayne also had kept his opponents back at the ford; and he, too, now drew off his force in such perfect order that Knyphausen did not dare to follow.