Battle+of+Brandywine

__**The Battle of Brandywine, September 11th, 1777 (British Victory)**__
Map of Battle: media type="file" key="British National Anthem.mp3" width="240" height="20" British National Anthem instrumental.

**Detail of Battle:** [|General Howe's]goal for this [|battle] was to claim the American capital, [|Philadelphia]. The British believed they could overpower the American rebels and lower their morale by taking over Philadelphia. General Howe marched his army hastily from [|Chesapeake], landing at modern day Elkton, Maryland. Once the British were spotted, General Washington told his men to take the high ground and head to [|Chadds Ford] to defend against the [|British army]. On the morning of September 9th, 1777, Washington strategically distributed his troops around the Brandywine river to safely protect his fords. These fords were the Pyle's ford, and the Wistar's ford. Washington's hope was to cause a fight at Chadds Ford because he believed he had an advantage there. Washington was confident that the British could not take over his fords.

Although his confidence was strong, he was out witted by the British for they too had a plan. At nearby Kennett Square, the British created a diversion where a small portion of the British's army marched to Chadds Ford while the majority of the army,under Howe's lead, would move north of Wistar's Ford and flank the Americans from behind. [|September 11th, 1777] the battle had begun with heavy fog that cloaked the British from the Americans who were unaware of their presence. During this time Washington thought the [|British were advancing] towards Chadds Ford, so he ordered most of his men to guard it. Howe ordered his troops to take the high ground around [|Washington's] army. Washington finally realized that they had him surrounded and out witted, so he ordered his men to retake the hill as a last defense. The Americans fought bravely but were unsuccessful at seizing the hill and winning the battle. Once nightfall began, Washington and the remaining American troops retreated to Chester while the tired British camped out on the battlefield.

**Cause:** After the defeat of the Americans, the British advanced further towards Philadelphia. Although Washington's troops had retreated they did return to attempt to stop the British movement. However, the Americans were [|defeated] and Howe's troops took over Philadelphia after Congress left and went to Lancaster. Washington thought he had the advantage over the British because he had about 8,000 troops while the British had 6,000.

Map of Battle:



**__Historical Figures of the battle__**
 [|George Washington] was born on February 22nd, 1732 in Virginia. At a young age his father died, so he looked up to his older brother Lawrence as a role model. [|Lawrence] was an officer in the Virginia Militia and educated George in math, writing, and with other subjects and skills. He also taught George about surveying land. George was soon appointed as surveyor for [|Lord Fairfax] where he explored the surrounding country. Eventually George joined the [|Virginia Militia] like his brother in 1752. George's dream was to join the British army and he tried very hard to impress the British; but failed to, especially after the surrender of Fort Necessity to the French. In 1754 he quit the Militia and during his time out of the Militia he got married, owned his own plantation where he became a Virginian gentlemen, and made lots of money. George rejoined the military in 1766 and soon became the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. George used his past experiences in the [|French and Indian War] and his wealth earned from his plantation to succeed in many battles and when ever he lost a battle he never gave up. In the Battle of Brandywine he fought valiantly even though outmaneuvered and outnumbered. Although defeated in this battle he never gave up the war and continued to lead his army to multiple victories. George did lose this battle but he still got his remaining troops to safety.
 * __George Washington __**

**__ William Howe __**
 [|William Howe] was born on[| August 10th, 1729]in England. He was born into a family of nobles where the majority of his relatives were in the British Army. He joined the British cavalry in 1746 and soon becoming a lieutenant a year later. 10 years later he became a major and a lieutenant colonel in 1757. William was very successful in many missions defending Quebec and capturing places under the [|British flag]like sections of Montreal and the city of Havana. At the end of the French Indian War he gained a reputation for his brilliance and tactical maneuvers. In 1772 that reputation resulted in him becoming a major-general in the British army. [|William] was a highly intelligent man and used his wits and past experiences to win many battles. One of these battles would be the [|Battle of Brandywine] where Howe ordered his troops to sneak around Washington's troops and out flank them. This strategic plan gave him an advantage over the Americans, thus wining the battle and obtaining Philadelphia for Britain.

**__Battle of Brandywine Video:__**

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