He had taken possession of some heights
on the eastern side of the river Brandywine, which falls into the
Delaware below Philadelphia, with an intention of disputing the passage.
Howe must necessarily cross this river in order to obtain the great
object of the campaign, and he resolved to force his way over. The
position of the enemy was formidable; but, notwithstanding, on the
11th of September, the attempt was made, and that successfully. General
Knyphausen advanced with the second division of the army to Chad's Ford,
as a feint; and while the Americans were defending that point, Lord
Cornwallis had marched a few miles round, crossed the forks of the
Brandywine, and came upon Washington's flank. On discovering this the
Americans fell into great confusion, and Knyphausen then rushed with
his division across Chad's Ford, and drove them from their batteries and
entrenchments at the point of the bayonet. Later in the day the British
forces attacked the Americans, under General Sullivan, who were strongly
posted on the heights above Birmingham church, and drove them from
thence in great confusion. In the whole they lost three hundred killed,
about six hundred wounded, and four hundred who were taken prisoners,
besides several pieces of artillery; but Washington kept his corps
together, and retired with his cannon and baggage to Chester, where
he passed the night without molestation. On the following morning he
marched by Derby to Philadelphia, where he collected his scattered
troops, in order to defend the city.

CAPTURE OF PHILADELPHIA.

General Howe advanced towards, Philadelphia with caution. This was
necessary, for the enemy hovered about him and threatened an attack.
Washington, indeed, had not yet relinquished all hope of impeding the
enemy's progress, and he made an attempt to repeat the stratagem which
had been so successfully executed by Lord Cornwallis. When Howe put
his army in motion he marched towards Chester, and took possession of
Wilmington, where he lodged his sick and wounded. He was now about
a day's march from Philadelphia; but there was the river Schuylkill
intervening between him and that city, and on the bank of that river
General Armstrong was posted to dispute the passage. At the same time
Washington had struck away to the left of the British, by the Lancaster
road, in the hope of getting on Howe's flank. Both Philadelphia and the
inhabitants around, however, were friendly to the cause of H