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The Great Republic by the Master Historians
The Capture of Philadelphia
by Bancroft, Hubert H.
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[The active military operations of the year 1777 in the North were matched by as
active ones in the Middle States, though the latter did not end so successfully
for the American cause. In the early part of the year, as we have seen,
Washington had regained possession of New Jersey, and closed the avenue to
Philadelphia by that route. Half the year was occupied by Howe in vain endeavors
to bring Washington to a general engagement. Failing in this, he withdrew all
his forces from New Jersey, and began extensive preparations for a sea-
expedition, whose object it was not easy to ascertain. Washington, however,
believed it to be the capture of Philadelphia, and made energetic preparations
for the defence of that city. Howe set sail from Sandy Hook on the 23rd of July
with a large and well-appointed army, leaving a strong garrison to hold New
York. Rhode Island was also strongly garrisoned. Yet about this time an
adventure of striking boldness occurred on that island. General Prescott, who
commanded the Rhode Island forces, had become very negligent of his guard, under
assurance of perfect safety. In consequence, on the 10th of July, a party of
militia secretly landed on the island and carried him off prisoner from the
midst of his army. This exploit gave the greatest satisfaction to the Americans,
who hoped to exchange this prisoner for General Lee, who had been captured in
much the same manner.
About this time several French officers of distinction entered the service of
the United States, principal among them being the Marquis de Lafayette, a young
nobleman of the highest rank, and for whom Washington ever afterwards felt the
warmest friendship. The intentions of Howe for some time remained doubtful. His
fleet kept at sea off the coast, and Washington was in doubt whether its
destination was Delaware or Chesapeake Bay, or whether it might return to the
Hudson or assail Charleston. The Delaware had been rendered impassable by
obstructions, and all doubt was finally ended by the appearance of the fleet in
the Chesapeake. It was now the last of August, the fleet having been baffled and
delayed by persistent contrary winds. On the 25th of August the British army,
eighteen thousand strong, landed near the head of Elk River, in Maryland.
Washington, who had advanced beyond Wilmington, retreated before this superior
force, and took up a position behind the Brandywine, where he designed to make a
stand for the defence of Philadelphia. The story of the subsequent events we
select from a well-known and valuable work on American history by an Italian
author, Botta's "History of the War for Independence of the United States of
America," as translated by George A. Otis.]
Early in the morning of the eleventh of September the British army marched to
the enemy. Howe had formed his army in two columns, the right commanded by
General Knyphausen, the left by Lord Cornwallis. His plan was, that while the
first should make repeated feints to attempt the passage of Chadsford, in order
to occupy the attention of the republicans, the second should take a long
circuit to the upper part of the river, and cross at a place where it was
divided into two shallow streams. . Knyphausen advanced with his column, and
commenced a furious cannonade upon the passage of Chadsford, making all his
dispositions as if he intended to force it. The Americans defended themselves
with gallantry, and even passed several detachments of light troops to the other
side, in order to harass the enemy's flanks. But after a course of skirmishes,
sometimes advancing, and at others obliged to retire, they were finally, with an
eager pursuit, driven over the river. Knyphausen then appeared more than ever
determined to pass the ford; he stormed, and kept up an incredible noise. In
this manner the attention of the Americans was fully occupied in the
neighborhood of Chadsford. Meanwhile, Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the second
column, took a circuitous march to the left, and gained unperceived the forks of
the Brandywine. By this rapid movement he passed both branches of the river at
Trimble's and at Jeffery's Fords, without opposition, about two o'clock in the
afternoon, and then, turning short down the river, took the road to Dilworth, in
order to fall upon the right flank of the American army. The republican general,
however, received intelligence of this movement about noon, and, as it usually
happens in similar cases, the reports exaggerated its importance exceedingly, it
being represented that General Howe commanded this division in person.
Washington therefore decided immediately for the most judicious, though boldest,
measure: this was, to pass the river with the centre and left wing of his army,
and overwhelm Knyphausen by the most furious attack. He justly reflected that
the advantage he should obtain upon the enemy's right would amply compensate the
loss that his own might sustain at the same time. Accordingly, he ordered
General Sullivan to pass the Brandywine with his division at an upper ford and
attack the left of Knyphausen, while he, in person, should cross lower down and
fall upon the right of that general.
[This operation was checked by the arrival of a new report, to the effect that
the previous information was false. Washington was thus kept in uncertainty till
it was too late to make any decisive movement. On learning that the enemy was
really approaching in force, he hastily made preparations to meet this imminent
danger.]
But the column of Cornwallis was already in sight of the Americans. Sullivan
drew up his troops on the commanding ground above Birmingham meeting-house, with
his left extending towards the Brandywine, and both his flanks covered with very
thick woods. His artillery was advantageously planted upon the neighboring
hills. But it appears that Sullivan's own brigade, having taken a long circuit,
arrived too late upon the field of battle, and had not yet occupied the position
assigned it, when the action commenced. The English, having reconnoitred the
dispositions of the Americans, immediately formed, and fell upon them with the
utmost impetuosity. The engagement became equally fierce on both sides about
four o'clock in the afternoon. For some length of time the Americans defended
themselves with great valor, and the carnage was terrible. But such was the
emulation which invigorated the efforts of the English and Hessians [between
whom a feeling of rivalry existed] that neither the advantages of situation, nor
a heavy and well-supported fire of small-arms and artillery, nor the unshaken
courage of the Americans, were able to resist their impetuosity. The light
infantry, chasseurs, grenadiers, and guards threw themselves with such fury into
the midst of the republican battalions that they were forced to give way. Their
left flank was first thrown into confusion; but the rout soon became general.
The vanquished fled into the woods in their rear: the victors pursued, and
advanced by the great road towards Dilworth. On the first fire of the artillery,
Washington, having no doubt of what was passing, had pushed forward the reserve
to the succor of Sullivan. But this corps, on approaching the field of battle,
fell in with the flying soldiers of Sullivan, and perceived that no hope
remained of retrieving the fortunes of the day. General Greene, by a judicious
manoeuvre, opened his ranks to receive the fugitives, and after their passage,
having closed them anew, he retired in good order, checking the pursuit of the
enemy by a continual fire of the artillery which covered his rear. Having come
to a defile, covered on both sides with woods, he drew up his men there, and
again faced the enemy.
[Knyphausen now prepared to convert his feint into a real crossing of the
river.]
The passage of Chadsford was defended by an intrenchment and battery. The
republicans stood firm at first; but upon intelligence of the defeat of their
right, and seeing some of the British troops who had penetrated through the
woods come out upon their flank, they retired in disorder, abandoning their
artillery and munitions to the German general. In their retreat, or rather
flight, they passed behind the position of General Greene, who still defended
himself, and was the last to quit the field of battle. Finally, it being already
dark, after a long and obstinate conflict, he also retired. The whole army
retreated that night to Chester, and the day following to Philadelphia.
There the fugitives arrived incessantly, having effected their escape through
by-ways and circuitous routes. The victors passed the night on the field of
battle. If darkness had not arrived seasonably, it is very probable that the
whole American army would have been destroyed. The loss of the republicans was
computed at about three hundred killed, six hundred wounded, and near four
hundred taken prisoners. They also lost ten field-pieces and a howitzer. The
loss in the royal army was not in proportion, being something under five
hundred, of which the slain did not amount to one-fifth.
[The foreign officers, Count Pulaski, a noble Pole, Lafayette, Captain de
Fleury, and the Baron St. Ovary, were of great use to the Americans in this
conflict. St. Ovary was taken prisoner, and Lafayette wounded. The defeat did
not discourage Congress, which had resumed its sessions in Philadelphia, nor
Washington, who took active measures to retrieve his losses. Within a few days
after the defeat he advanced again, and offered battle to the approaching enemy.
But there came so violent a rainfall as seriously to injure the arms and
ammunition of the Americans, and Washington was forced to withdraw his army.
Meanwhile, General Wayne was surprised by a night attack at Paoli, assailed with
the bayonet, and had three hundred men killed out of a total of fifteen hundred.
This assault, which was little else than a massacre, was long remembered with
indignation by the Americans. Washington now, finding the extensive magazines of
provisions and military stores which he had formed at Reading threatened by the
British, moved to cover them, and abandoned Philadelphia, which was occupied by
the enemy on the 26th of September. Congress adjourned to Lancaster. Yet
Washington's activity continued unremitting. Batteries were erected on the
Delaware, and obstructions sunk, to prevent the British fleet from ascending the
river. Learning that Howe had sent some regiments to reduce these batteries,
Washington took the opportunity, on October 4, to fall upon the weakened British
army, then encamped at Germantown.]
Germantown is a considerable village, about half a dozen miles from
Philadelphia, and which, stretching on both sides of the great road to the
northward, forms a continued street of two miles in length. The British line of
encampment crossed Germantown at right angles about the centre, the left wing
extending on the west from the town to the Schuylkill. . The centre, being
posted within the town, was guarded by the Fortieth Regiment, and another
battalion of light infantry, stationed about three-quarters of a mile above the
head of the village. Washington resolved to attack the British by surprise, not
doubting that if he succeeded in breaking them, as they were not only distant
but totally separated from the fleet, his victory must be decisive.
[He divided his troops, so as to make a double attack, with the purpose of
separating the right and left wings of the British army. Parties of cavalry were
sent out to scour the roads, to prevent any one from notifying Howe of the
movement intended. A silent and rapid night march was made.]
At three o'clock in the morning the British patrols discovered the approach of
the Americans: the troops were soon called to arms; each took his post with the
precipitation of surprise. About sunrise the Americans came up. General Conway,
having driven in the pickets, fell upon the Fortieth Regiment and the battalion
of light infantry. These corps, after a short resistance, being overpowered by
numbers, were pressed and pursued into the village. Fortune appeared already to
have declared herself in favor of the Americans; and certainly, if they had
gained complete possession of Germantown, nothing could have frustrated them of
the most signal victory. But in this conjuncture Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave
threw himself, with six companies of the Fortieth Regiment, into a large and
strong stone house, situated near the head of the village, from which he poured
upon the assailants so terrible a fire of musketry that they could advance no
further. The Americans attempted to storm this unexpected convert of the enemy,
but those within continued to defend themselves with resolution. They finally
brought up cannon to the assault; but such was the intrepidity of the English
and the violence of their fire that it was found impossible to dislodge them.
[Meanwhile, General Greene had assailed the left flank of the enemy's right
wing; but the columns which were to aid his movement by turning the right and
left flanks of the British army failed to perform the work expected of them.]
The consequence was that General Grey, finding his left flank secure, marched,
with nearly the whole of the left wing, to the assistance of the centre, which,
notwithstanding the unexpected resistance of Colonel Musgrave, was excessively
hard pressed in Germantown, where the Americans gained ground incessantly. The
battle was now very warm at that village, the attack and the defence being alike
vigorous. The issue appeared for some time dubious. General Agnew was mortally
wounded, while charging, with great bravery, at the head of the Fourth Brigade.
The American colonel Matthews, of the column of Greene, assailed the English
with so much fury that he drove them before him into the town. He had taken a
large number of prisoners, and was about entering the village, when he perceived
that a thick fog and the unevenness of the ground had caused him to lose sight
of the rest of his division. Being soon enveloped by the extremity of the right
wing, which fell back upon him when it had discovered that nothing was to be
apprehended from the tardy approach of the militia of Maryland and Jersey, he
was compelled to surrender with all his party: the English had already rescued
their prisoners. This check was the cause that two regiments of the English
right wing were enabled to throw themselves into Germantown, and to attack the
Americans who had entered it in flank. Unable to sustain the shock, they retired
precipitately, leaving a great number of killed and wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel
Musgrave, to whom belongs the principal honor of this affair, was then relieved
from all peril. General Grey, being absolute master of all Germantown, flew to
the succor of the right wing, which was engaged with the left of the column of
Greene. The Americans then took to flight, abandoning to the English throughout
the line a victory of which in the commencement of the action they had felt
assured.
The principal causes of the failure of this well-concerted enterprise were the
extreme haziness of the weather, which was so thick that the Americans could
neither discover the situation nor movements of the British army, nor yet those
of their own; the inequality of the ground, which incessantly broke the ranks of
their battalions; . . and, finally, the unexpected resistance of Musgrave, who
found means, in a critical moment, to transform a mere house into an impregnable
fortress.
[The American loss was about twelve hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners;
that of the English, about five hundred in killed and wounded. Washington
retreated immediately to Perkiomen Creek, while in a few days after the battle
the British army was removed from Germantown to Philadelphia. Congress expressed
warm approbation of the plan of action and the courage shown in its execution,
and passed a vote of thanks to the general and the army. Washington quickly
advanced again to a threatening position at Skippack Creek.]
Thus the British general might have seen that he had to grapple with an
adversary who, far from allowing himself to be discouraged by adverse fortune,
seemed, on the contrary, to gain by it more formidable energies; who, the moment
after defeat, was prepared to resume the offensive; and whose firmness and
activity were such that even the victories obtained by his adversaries only
yielded them the effects of defeat. Nor was the taking of Philadelphia attended
with those advantages which were expected from it.
The inhabitants of the country were not in the least intimidated by that event;
and the victorious army, surrounded on all sides by enemies, found itself, as it
were, immured within the precincts of the city. Washington, posted on the
heights of the Schuylkill, maintained a menacing attitude: he employed his
cavalry and light troops in scouring the country between the banks of that river
and those of the Delaware. He thus repressed the excursions of the English,
prevented them from foraging with safety, and deterred the disaffected or the
avaricious among the people of the country from conveying provisions to their
camp.
[Howe, thus rendered unable to supply himself from the surrounding country,
diligently endeavored to remove the obstructions from the Delaware, that his
fleet might come up. Arrangements were made for attacks in force on the
batteries of Fort Mifflin, on the Pennsylvania side, and of Fort Mercer, at Red
Bank, on the Jersey shore.]
According to these dispositions, the English put themselves in motion on the
evening of the twenty-first of October. Colonel Donop, a German officer, who had
distinguished himself in the course of the campaign, passed the Delaware from
Philadelphia, with a strong detachment of Hessians, at Cooper's Ferry. Then
marching down the Jersey shore, along the bank of the river, he arrived at a
late hour the following day in the rear of Red Bank. The fortifications
consisted of extensive outer works, within which was a strong palisaded
intrenchment, well furnished with artillery. Donop attacked the fort with the
utmost gallantry. The Americans, after a slight resistance in the outer
intrenchment, finding their number too small to man it sufficiently, withdrew
into the body of the redoubt, where they made a vigorous defence.
Their intrepidity and the want of scaling-ladders baffled all the efforts of the
Hessians. Colonel Donop was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. Several of his
best officers were killed or disabled; Colonel Mingerode himself, the second in
command, received a dangerous wound. The Hessians were then severely repulsed;
and Lieutenant-Colonel Linsing drew them off with precipitation; but even in
their retreat they suffered extremely by the fire of the enemy's galleys and
floating batteries. The loss of the Hessians was estimated at not less than four
or five hundred men. Donop expired of his wounds the next day. The Americans
owed much of their success to the Chevalier du Plessis, a French officer, who
directed the artillery with great ability and valor. The vanquished returned to
Philadelphia.
[The attack on Fort Mifflin was at first unsuccessful, but a new attack rendered
the fort untenable. Fort Mercer was soon after so injured by a severe
bombardment that it was necessarily abandoned. The navigation of the Delaware
was thus opened to the British ships. Washington's army at this time numbered
over twelve thousand regulars, and three thousand militia. Howe had about twelve
thousand men. The former took up a strong position at White Marsh, while Howe
faced him on Chestnut Hill. Various unsuccessful efforts were made by Howe to
draw Washington from his intrenchments. Finally, as it appeared that the
American general could not be induced to give battle, Howe withdrew to place his
troops in winter-quarters in Philadelphia. Washington marched his army for the
same purpose to Valley Forge. With these movements the campaign of 1777 ended.]
Charles Botta
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