Page 61 - ASM Book 9/2020

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BLoss at Brandywine Prolonged the Revolution
ritish Generals William Howe and Charles Cornwallis launched a full scale attack on General George Washington’s forces and the patriot outpost at Brandywine Creek, near Philadelphia, on September 11, 1777. The generals skillfully split their army into two divisions.
Washington was surprised and unprepared for the attack. The dense morning fog made it difficult for Washington and his officers to see the advancing British troops. Considering the circumstances, the Americans were able to slow the British advance, but being outnumbered 18,000 to 11,000 with the possibility of being surrounded, Washington ordered a retreat.
At the end of the day, the Americans suffered more than 1,100 killed, wounded and captured while the British casualties were in the 600 range. The patriots also had to abandon most of their cannons because their artillery horses were killed or wounded during the fighting.
The Continental Army marched
north and camped at Germantown, Pennsylvania, while the British army marched to Philadelphia and occupied the city without any opposition. The Continental Congress had to flee to nearby Lancaster and later to York, Pennsylvania.
Losing the battle and Philadelphia were major blows to American morale. But, once again, Washington had prolonged the fight for independence and saved his army for another day and another battle.
George Washington May Have Escaped Death
During the Battle of Brandywine Creek, a detachment of British marksmen were hiding in the woods waiting for American officers. Major Patrick Ferguson, commander of the loyalist forces at Kings Mountain in 1780, commanded the snipers. He instructed three of his snipers to fire at any American officers that came into view. After a few minutes, Ferguson changed his mind and ordered them not to shoot.
An American officer later rode across the field with other soldiers. Ferguson shouted at him. The officer turned and looked at Ferguson and then rode away. The next day Ferguson learned that the American officer most likely was George Washington.
Major Patrick Ferguson was the inventor of the Ferguson rifle, one of the first breech-loading rifles. It was used briefly by the British during the American Revolution.