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The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
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George Washington reports from Chester on September 11, 1777, the American retreat in the Battle of Brandywine due to poor intelligence on British movements. Losses include 7-8 cannon and some officers wounded or killed, including Lafayette and Woodford, but troop spirits remain high.
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SIR,
I am sorry to inform you that in this day's engagement we have been obliged to leave the enemy masters of the field. Unfortunately, the intelligence received of the enemy's advancing up the Brandywine, and crossing at a ford about six miles above us, was uncertain and contradictory, notwithstanding all my pains to get the best. This prevented my making a disposition adequate to the force with which the enemy attacked us on our right, where the troops first engaged were obliged to retire before they could get reinforced. In the midst of the attack on the right, the body of the enemy which had remained on the other side of Chad's Ford crossed it, and attacked the division there under the command of General Wayne, and the light troops under General Maxwell, who, after a severe conflict, also retired. The division under the command of General Armstrong, being posted at a ford about two miles below Chad's, had no opportunity of engaging. But though we fought under many disadvantages and were, from the causes above mentioned, obliged to retire, yet our loss of men is not, I am persuaded, very considerable, I believe much less than the enemy's.
We have also lost seven or eight pieces of cannon, according to the best information I can at present obtain. The baggage, having been previously removed off, is all secure, saving the men's blankets, which being at their backs, many of them doubtless were lost.
I have directed the troops to assemble behind Chester, where they are now arranging for the night. Notwithstanding the misfortune of the day, I am happy to find the troops in good spirits; and I hope, another time, we shall compensate for the loss now sustained.
The Marquis La Fayette was wounded in the leg, and General Woodford in the hand. Divers other officers were wounded, and some slain, but the numbers of either cannot now be ascertained.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
P. S. It has not been in my power to send you earlier intelligence, the present being the first leisure moment I have had since the action.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, sec'ry.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Chester
Event Date
Sept. 11, 1777
Key Persons
Outcome
american forces retired with loss of seven or eight pieces of cannon, men's blankets, and some officers wounded or slain including marquis la fayette in the leg and general woodford in the hand; overall loss of men believed less than enemy's.
Event Details
In the engagement at Brandywine, uncertain intelligence of British advance and crossing led to inadequate disposition; right flank retired before reinforcements, Wayne and Maxwell's divisions faced severe conflict and retired, Armstrong's division did not engage; troops assembled behind Chester in good spirits.