Sonic of the colonial re:Wince:nu_ ins having at length arrived, the provincial artily not only increased iu num ber, but improved in courage and zeal. Emboldemd by his success, Washington resolved to leave Philadelphia, and to make another attempt against the British forces. In consequence of this determination, ho advanced with great secrecy towards Maidenhead-town, situated be tween Trenton and Princeton, where three regiments, under colonel Mawhood, had taken post ; and, attacking the royalists on their march, he threw them into confu sion, and obliged them to retreat with considerable loss. The British troops, astonished at the exertions of the American commander, whose affairs they supposed to be desperate, withdrew towards Brunswick ; in order to prevent that town, and the stores which it contained, from falling into the hands of the provincial army. Washington lost no time in availing himself of their retreat. He divided his troops into small bodies, which, though dispersed over an extensive country, could be united without difficulty ; and, by his activity, vigilance, and skill, he soon regained possession of all the impor• tam places.
Thus terminated the campaign of 1776, and not alto gether unfavourably to the American interest: for though the provincial troops had often been worsted, and still more frequently obliged to retreat, yet they prosecuted their design of harassing the enemy with great success; and, while the royalists kept possession of New York, they were constrained to act with as much circumspection, as if Washington and the whole force of the colonists had besieged them in that city.
The next campaign opened with considerable indica tions of vigour on the part of sir William Howe. After a number of predatory excursions, in which some forts were reduced, and magazines destroyed, that general resolved to make an attempt on Philadelphia. It was at first thought that thri could be done by marching through the Jerseys ; but Washington, now in possession of the open country, and strongly reinforced, had taken his measures so effectually, that it w as declared to be im practicable. It was therefore determined to approach Philadelphia by sea. The expedition, led by the British general in person, sailed on the 23d of July from Sandy Hook ; on the 29th, the troops arrived at the mouth of the Delaware ; but having' received intelligence, that the navigation of that river was effectually obstructed, they proceeded to Chesapeak hay, in from which they could in a short time reach the capital of Pennsylvania. At length, sailing up the Elk as far as was practicable, the royal army, to the number of 18,000 effective men, landed without opposition. On the new s of their arrival in the Cbesapeak, Washington gave im mediate orders for all the colonial troops to join him without delay ; and advanced, by rapid marches, to check the progress of Howe. His exertions, however, for that purpose, were not effectual; and it was perceived, that a battle, which would decide the fate of the American capital, was unavoidable. The royal army had pushed forward tome' ds the Brandywine, on the opposite side of which the provincials were stationed ; the river was fol dable, and could therefore present no effective obstacle• to a general engagement. This was sought by
the English commander ; and, in his present circus stances, it was not avoided by Washington. On the morning of the I I th of September, the king's troops advanced towards Chadd's Ford; various matileuvres aild skirmishing there took place, and with varied suc cess; till about four in the evening, when the action be gan between the main strength of the contending forces. The right wing of the Americans was thrown into con fusion at the very commencement of the attack ; and, before Washington could lead his battalions to its sup port, the whole line gave way ; the rout became gene ral, and night alone saved the provincials from a total defeat.
This victory, on the part of the British, opened their way to Philadelphia. Accordingly, a short time after it was gained, sir William Howe took possession of that city ; but the troops, during their march, were incessant ly annoyed by Washington ; who hung upon their rear, cut off their detached parties, and showed them, that though he had been compelled to retreat, he was not overcome. In the whole conduct of this extraordinary man, we arc forced to admire the prudence, persever ance, and activity which marked his character. He had been repulsed in almost every attack, where a large body of the provincials had been engaged with the enemy ; his troops had deserted hint in great numbers, and on the most important occasions ; and he had frequently been distressed by the want of military stores ; yet, not withstanding these adverse circumstances, he made head against an army of regular troops, commanded by a general of acknowledged ability, well disciplined, and provided with all the means of successful warfare. No sooner had the English general taken possession of Phi ladelphia with a part of his forces, and stationed the rest at Germantown, than Washington formed the resolution of attacking the division at the latter place. In this at tempt, also, he was unfortunate; the British had early notice of his approach ; and he was obliged to retire with very considerable loss. But such was his uncon querable spirit, and so firm his conviction, that the mea sures which he pursued would at length bring the war to a favourable issue, that, in his letters to the congress, he exhorted them to perseverance ; and rejected every oiler towards an accommodation, but that which acknow ledged the independence of the United States. The English general, now in possession of Philadelphia, employed himself for some time in taking or destroying the forts on the Delaware. The principal of these were Mud-island and Red-hank. Aided by three ships of the line, and well supported by the officers who executed his commandes, he speedily reduced the forts : and many of the ships belonging to the provincials either fell into his hands, or were driven ashore and burnt by their possessors.