Arriving at Ridgefield, a strong force under General Arnold was found posted at that place, and busily employed in throwing up entrenchments; these were instantly attacked by the artillery, and the British troops rushing forward to the charge with their native valour and intrepidity, the Americans were driven from their ground.
The British halted at Ridgefield during the night, and resumed their march on the following day. The enemy having collected additional forces and some field-pieces, harassed the detachment exceedingly during its march, which brought on several skirmishes. Arriving at the Hill of Compo, contiguous to the place of embarkation, the Americans renewed their attack with greater determination and spirit than ever; the British troops, facing about, fired a volley, and then charged with the bayonet with such impetuosity and courage, that the enemy, unable to withstand the shock, retreated. The detachment afterwards embarked without molestation, and returned to New York.
The King's Own lost two men in this enterprise; and had Captain Thorne, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded.
The regiment afterwards formed part of the army assembled in the Jerseys, and was engaged in the movements designed to bring on a general engagement; but the enemy keeping close in his strong position in the mountains, an expedition against the populous and wealthy city of Philadelphia was resolved upon. The King's Own were employed in this enterprise, and formed, with the twenty-third, twenty-eighth, and forty-ninth regiments, the first brigade of the army.
Having embarked from Sandy Hook, the troops sailed to Chesapeake Bay, and landed on the 25th of August on the northern shore of the Elk River; from whence they advanced on the 28th, in two columns, to Elk Head. The enemy having taken up a position at Brandywine, the royal army advanced on the 11th of September to give their opponents battle, and the King's Own formed part of the force selected to attack the American troops posted at Chad's Ford. After a sharp cannonade the troops advanced to the charge; the King's Own commanded by Lieut.-Colonel James Ogilvie, and supported by the fifth foot, led the attack in gallant style, and rushing through the stream with fixed bayonets, overpowered all opposition and captured three brass field-pieces, and a five and a half inch howitzer.[27] The regiment pressed upon the retiring enemy, but darkness coming on before the troops could reach the heights, the action ceased. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was two rank and file killed; and Captain Rawdon and twenty rank and file wounded.
The victory at Brandywine was followed by the flight of the American troops from Philadelphia, which city was taken possession of by a British force of which the grenadier company of the King's Own formed part. The remainder of the army took up a position at Germantown, and the King's Own were encamped on the right flank. The Americans attacked this post on the morning of the 4th of October, and drove in the piquets of the right wing. The Fourth were moved forward to support the light infantry, and the assault was sustained with such determined bravery, that the enemy could make no impression at this point of attack. After the Americans had been repulsed at other parts of the field, Major-General Grant moved the forty-ninth regiment, and four pieces of cannon, to the left of the King's Own, and then advancing with the right wing, forced the enemy's left to give way. The Americans were afterwards pursued four or five miles through a woody country of difficult access. The light company of the regiment, forming part of the first light infantry battalion, highly distinguished itself on this occasion, and had Lieutenant Champaigne wounded; also several private men killed and wounded. The battalion companies also acquired new laurels; and had one serjeant and eight rank and file killed; Captain Thorne, Lieutenants Arbuthnot and Kemble, Ensigns Dickson, Shoen, Hadden, and Blemen, with Adjutant Hunt, two serjeants, and forty-six rank and file wounded; also three rank and file missing. When the action commenced, the grenadier company marched, with the remainder of its battalion, out of Philadelphia with all possible expedition, and arrived at the scene of contest at the moment when the enemy was giving way, and consequently was not engaged. Lieut.-General Sir William Howe, speaking of these actions in his public despatch, observes,—"In the several engagements, the successes attending them are far better vouchers than any words can convey, of the good conduct of the general officers, and the bravery of the other officers and soldiers. The fatigues of a march exceeding one hundred miles, supported with the utmost cheerfulness by all ranks, without tents, and with very little baggage, will, I hope, be esteemed as convincing proofs of the noble spirit and emulation prevailing in the army to promote His Majesty's service."[28]
While the army commanded by Sir William Howe was victorious in Pennsylvania, another British force under the orders of Lieut.-General Burgoyne penetrated the United States from the frontiers of Canada; but the difficulties encountered by this army were so great, that its commander concluded a convention with the American General Gates, who was thus enabled to detach a body of troops to reinforce General Washington. On the arrival of these forces the American army advanced nearer Philadelphia, and encamped at White Marsh. The British general moved forward, and took post on the morning of the 5th of December on Chestnut Hill, with the view of inducing the enemy to offer battle, or of finding a vulnerable part in their fortified camp. A sharp skirmish occurred on the same day, between two British battalions and a thousand Americans, who were routed in a short time. On the 7th of December another action occurred on Edgehill, a mile from the enemy's left, on which occasion the native intrepidity and firmness of the British were conspicuous. Several other skirmishes also took place; and in every instance the Americans were defeated; but their position was found so strong with entrenchments, abbatis de bois, and other defences, that the army returned to Philadelphia on the 8th of December, without venturing to attack it. The King's Own lost in these skirmishes, two men killed; and Lieutenant West, three serjeants, and nine rank and file wounded.
1778