with a considerable force advanced upon them; CHAP. III and the rear guard, after defending themselves 1777. for some time with great gallantry, finding the boats could not be brought back to take them over the channel, were under the necessity of surrendering prisoners of war.

This enterprise appears to have been well planned, and in its commencement to have been happily executed. Its disasterous conclusion is most probably attributable to the want of a sufficient number of boats, without which the expedition ought not to have been undertaken.

In his letters to the commander in chief, and to congress, general Sullivan reported that he had brought off eleven officers, and one hundred and thirty privates. He was also of opinion that a considerable number must have been killed in the different skirmishes which took place in the morning. He stated his own loss to have been one major, one captain, one lieutenant, and ten privates killed, and fifteen wounded; and nine officers, among whom were majors Stewart, Tillard, and Woodson, and one hundred and twenty-seven privates, prisoners.

In the account given of this action by general Campbell as published, he stated himself to have made two hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, among whom were one lieutenant colonel, three majors, two captains and fifteen inferior offi

CHAP. III.

come up the

and land an

sir Williamı

Howe at
Elk river.

The British fleet having entered the Chesa

1777. peak, sailed towards its head with favourable British fleet winds, and without experiencing any disaster, Chesapeak entered Elk river, up which they proceeded as army under high as it was safely navigable. On the twenty. fifth of August, the army landed without any show of opposition, at the ferry. On the 27th, sir William Howe marched, with one division, to the head of Elk, and the next day advanced his van to Gray's hill, leaving general Knyphausen with three brigades, at the place of landing, and stationing one brigade on the communication August 28. between the two encampments. General Kny. phausen was ordered to cross the ferry, and take post at Cecil court-house, from whence September 3. he was to proceed on the east side and effect a junction with sir William Howe, seven or eight miles south of Christiana.h

The whole force of the British army which landed at Elk ferry has been generally computed at eighteen thousand men. They were in good health and spirits, trained to the service, admirably supplied with all the implements of war, and led by a general of experience and unquestionable military talents. If the army was in any respect defective, it was in cavalry and draft-horses. They had been greatly distressed for forage through the preceding winter, and their horses had suffered in the long voyfrom New York to Elk river.

age

h General Howe's letter.

Washington

Brandywine.

Early in the morning, the day before sir CHAP. III. William Howe had landed at Elk ferry, the 1777. American general passed through Philadelphia General on his way to meet the enemy. This route advances to was taken in the hope of making some impression on the disaffected of that city, many of whom had been greatly deceived respecting the strength of his army. After stopping some short time on the Brandywine to refresh, and afford an opportunity of reconnoitring both the country and the enemy, the divisions of Greene and Stephen proceeded nearer to the head of Elk, and encamped behind White-clay creek.

Congress had directed general Smallwood and colonel Gist to command the militia of Maryland, who had been ordered by general Washington to assemble near the head of the bay, for the purpose of cutting off small parties which might be sent out for horses and forage, and generally, of threatening and harassing the rear of the enemy, when his march to Philadelphia should commence. General Cadwalader, in whose activity, talents, and zeal, great confidence was placed, was likewise requested by the commander in chief to furnish every aid in his power towards getting out the militia, and to take charge of them until the arrival of Smallwood. The militia of the two lower counties of Delaware were also directed to assemble under general Rodney in

CHAP. III. the rear of the enemy, and to co-operate with 1777. those of Maryland. Colonel Richardson's conti

nental regiment, which had been stationed on the Eastern Shore, was also ordered to join this corps.

The militia of Pennsylvania under the command of major general Armstrong were expected to act in concert with the army which was to oppose the enemy in front. Great exertions were used to bring them immediately into the field, and to employ them in watching those parties which might be detached to seize horses, carriages, and cattle, which it was foreseen must be the first objects of the enemy.

The scarcity of Arms was now severely felt. The militia in general manifested some degree of spirit; and, although the numbers required by congress, did not take the field, yet more appeared than could be armed. Those nearest danger were, as usual, most slow in collecting; but it is probable that the delays experienced were principally occasioned by their exposed situation, and necessary attention to the care of their families and property.

The real strength of the American army cannot be stated with certainty. It was estimated by sir William Howe at fifteen thousand including militia, and this estimate probably did not far exceed their real total as appeared by the returns. But it is an unfortunate fact, attributable in some degree to the badness of

their clothing and scarcity of tents; and in CHAP. III. some degree to the neglect of the commissary 1777. department to provide those articles of food which contribute to the preservation of health, that the effective force was always very far short of their total number. Including militia the effectives did not exceed eleven thousand.

Morgan's regiment of riflemen, which had been found particularly useful during the incursion of the enemy into Jersey, having been detached in order to join the northern army, a corps of light infantry was now formed consisting of nine officers, eight sergeants, and a hundred rank and file, from each brigade, the command of which was given to general Maxwell, who in the course of the last winter had acquired some reputation as a partisan. This corps was advanced to Iron hill, about three miles in front of White-clay creek and extended towards Atkins' tavern. The cavalry, consisting of four regiments, amounting to about nine hundred men, including persons of every description, were employed principally on the lines in watching the enemy, gaining intelligence, and picking up stragglers.

The intended movement of general Howe on the third of September was discovered from his previous arrangements, and it was recommended by the commander in chief to general Maxwell, to post a choice body of men in the night, on an advantageous part of the road, in