The Virginia Gazette

BALTIMORE, September 15.

Copy of a letter from a volunteer at camp to his friend in Annapolis.

Chester, Sept. 12, 1777, 11 o'clock A. M.

DEAR SIR,

I have just time to drop you a few particulars of the bloody transaction of yesterday. Our army was posted on the heights of Brandywine, about 12 miles above Wilmington, at and contiguous to Chad's ford. The enemy lay nearly opposite to them, though at the distance of several miles, on the other side of the creek. About four o'clock last Thursday a body of the enemy appeared opposite Chad's Ford, and began a heavy cannonade upon our lines, which was returned with equal vigour. They at the same time, being posted upon the hills around, made several efforts as if to attack us with small arms. General Maxwell's light troops failing with them upon the meadows of the Brandywine, and a very smart firing ensued; and each party repeatedly drove back. In this skirmish we lost but few men, and the enemy suffered very considerably, not less I am assured than 500; for our troops there were advantageously posted, and kept up a constant and well directed fire, almost the whole day. Their efforts to force the pass at Chad's ford were evidently calculated only to amuse; for in the interim they had filed off up the creek in a large body, and crossed the forks of Brandywine, and marched very rapidly down upon our right, where General Sullivan's and Lord Stirling's divisions were posted. General Sullivan's division, in wheeling off to take possession of their ground on the right, fell into some disorder, and before they had time to form regularly the enemy approached, and immediately a hot and incessant discharge of small arms began, which continued most obstinately for near an hour, without cessation, when our troops gave way. However, being reinforced, about half after five o'clock, the attack began again, and lasted near one hour longer, when orders were given to retreat, which was done. The enemy at the same time passed Chad's ford, where they suffered much. We have not lost many.

Several gentlemen, who saw great part of the action of Thursday, have passed through this place; their accounts agree with the above letter. They add, that the enemy's loss is generally supposed to be from 1500 to 2000. One gentleman who passed through town yesterday evening, and left Chester late on Friday, informs, that from fifteen hundred the enemy acknowledge their loss to be from 15 to 1000 killed, amongst them General Knyphausen, and a few wounded, having his leg broke in. General, our loss, according to the best accounts, killed, wounded, and missing, does not exceed 800.