Brandywine

The following account is from the Journal of Major John Andre:

[September] 10th & 11th
The Army marched in two Columns under Lord Cornwallis and General Knyphausen. (Sir William Howe was with the former, [the 55th marched as part of Knyphausen¹s column]) and proceeded to the forks of Brandywine, crossed the ford there and by a circuit of about fifteen miles came upon the Enemy's right flank, near Birmingham Meeting House. The latter took the straight road to Chad's Ford, opposite to which the Rebel Army lay.

The design, it seemed was that General Knyphausen, taking Post at Chad's Ford, should begin early to cannonade the Enemy on the opposite side, thereby to take up his attention and make him presume an attack was then intended with the whole Army, whilst the other Column should be performing the detour. Lord Cornwallis's wing being engaged was to be the signal for the Troops under General Knyphausen to cross the ford when they were to push their advantage [exactly the same strategy used at Long Island]. The event fell little short of the project. General Knyphausen posted himself early in the day on the heights opposite the Rebel Army. This was distributed on all the most advantageous eminences overlooking the ford which lay beneath. On one of these hills they had thrown up a small breastwork with two Guns, one a 18-pounder, and beneath this, flanking the ford and road, another battery of three guns and a howitzer. Felled trees obstructed the passage at other fords near this place. It was not without some opposition that General Knyphausen took up his ground, and whilst he was there a body of 2000 men crossed the river and came upon his right. They were driven back by one or two Regiments.

On the left, Sir William Howe drawing near Birmingham found the Rebels posted on the heights to oppose him. Washington had drawn part of his Army here about two hours before, on receiving the first intimation of General Howe's approach. At about 4 o'clock the attack began near the [Birmingham] Meeting House. The Guards were formed upon the right, the British Grenadiers in the Centre, and the Light Infantry and Chasseurs on the left. The Hessian Grenadiers supported the Guards and British Grenadiers, and the 4th Brigade [comprised of the 33rd, 46th, 64th and 37th regiments] supported the Light Infantry and the left of the Grenadiers. The 3d Brigade [which included the 15th, 17th and 44th regiments] under General Grey was the Reserve. The Guards met with very little resistance and penetrated to the very height overlooking the 4-gun battery of the Rebels at Chad's Ford, just as General Knyphausen had crossed. The Hessian Grenadiers were to their left and not so far advanced. The British Grenadiers divided after passing Birmingham Meeting House, the 1st Battalion inclining to the right and the ad pushing about a mile beyond the village of Dilworth. The Light Infantry and Chasseurs inclined to the left, and by this means left an interval which was filled up by part of the 4th Brigade. The Light Infantry met with the chief resistance at a hill on which the Rebels had four pieces of cannon. At the end of the day the ad Battalion Grenadiers received a very heavy fire; the 64th Regiment, which was at them was engaged at the same time. The Rebels were driven back by the superior fire of the Troops, but these were too much exhausted to be able to charge or pursue. The Reserve moved centrically in the rear of the whole and inclined successively to the parts most engaged.

General Knyphausen, as was preconcerted, passed the ford upon hearing the other Column engaged, and the Troops under him [including the 55th] pushed the Enemy with Equal Success. Night and the fatigue the Soldiers had undergone prevented any pursuit. It is remarkable that after reconnoitering after the action, the right of General's Howe's Camp was found close on General Knyphausen's left, and nearly in a line, and in forming the General Camp next day, scarce any alteration was made.

We took this day eleven pieces of ordnance, five French brass guns, three Hessian and three American, viz: a brass 3-pounder, a howitzer an iron gun of a particular construction. The ammunition waggons, horses, &c. were likewise taken.

Return of the Ordinance Ammunition and stores taken from the rebels by his Majesty's Troops in the Action near Brandywine Creek the 11th September, 1777

ORDINANCE MOUNTED OR TRAVELING CARRIAGES

BRASS	Rebel States	Hessian	French	English	Total
6 Pounders	1	1	-	1	3
4 Pounders	-	-	4	-	4
3 Pounders	-	1	1	-	2
5-1/2 Inch Howitzer	1	-	-	-	1
IRON
4 pounder	1	-	-	-	1
TOTAL					11

SHOT FIXED WITH POWDER	Grape Filled	Round	Base
6 pounders	188	76	130
3 pounders	20	23	225
SHOT FIXED TO WOOD BOTTOMS
3 pounders	-	20	4
4 pounders	-	12	-
6 pounders	6	-	4
8 Inch Howitzer	-	-	38
5-1/2 inch Howitzer	-	-	39

ROUND SHOT -- LOOSE
12 pounders	6
6 pounders	39
4 pounders	12
3 pounders	20

CARTRIDGES

PAPER FILLED WITH POWDER
6 pounders	24
3 pounders	46
FLANNEL FILLED WITH POWDER
5-1/2 inch Howitzer	28
MUSQUET FILLED WITH BALL	6,000

POWDER

whole barrels	3
budge barrels	4

WAGGONS

Covered for ammunition	9
Open for ammunition	1

A quantity of damaged tubes, port fires & Intrenching tools.