BRANDYWINE, Battle of the, in the American Revolution. After the battle of Princeton (q.v.), the American and British armies retained their respective positions until early summer of 1777, employing the interim in foraging and plundering expeditions and in recruiting their forces. Finally, in June, Howe left New Brunswick and evacuated the Jer seys, but in July set sail from New York in a fleet and late in August landed at the head of the Elk River, with the intent of making a direct descent on Philadelphia. As the British advanced Washington retreated across Brandy wine Creek, which flows into the Delaware at Wilmington, taking post opposite Chad's Ford. On 11 Sept. 1777 the British advanced in two columns, the right under Knyphausen and the left under Cornwallis. While the former en gaged in an artillery duel with the Americans at the forks of the creek, Cornwallis crossed above the forks, attacked Sullivan's troops at Birmingham Church, near Dilworth, and forced them to retire. Washington sent Greene's brigades to support Sullivan but Greene found Sullivan in full flight and could only cover the retreat. Meanwhile Knyphausen
attacked Wayne at Chad's Ford and drove his troops back in disorderly flight. Hence Wash ington retreated to Chester and the next morn ing to Philadelphia, unmolested by the British, who were too weary to continue the pursuit. The American loss was 300 killed, 600 wounded (among them Lafayette) and 400 prisoners, while the British loss was not more than 600 killed and wounded. Consult Stone, W. D.,