BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE
Background
In 1776, before the Battle of Brandywine, in what was almost a year long siege, General George Washington and his army managed to drive the British Army out of Boston. However, General William Howe’s British Troops moved south. General Howe and General Washington’s troops met again in the Battle of Long Island. General Howe was victorious and occupied New York City. In the spring of 1777 the British controlled the cities of Quebec and New York, while the Continental Army controlled Philadelphia and Boston. The British plan was to move General Burgoyne’s troops, in Quebec, south, and General Howe’s troops north. This would give the British control of the Hudson Valley and cut New England off from the remaining colonies. The British hoped that this would destroy the American Dream of Independence. However, British Officials in London failed to give direct orders to General Howe to conduct this mission. General Howe decided to pursue his own agenda and capture the city of Philadelphia.
“Although Howe might logically be expected to resume his overland offensive through the Jerseys, he had already decided to move against Philadelphia by water; Washington had no way of knowing what Howe’s objective would be, but he did have reason to believe that the British would move by water. These points are mentioned because many accounts of the maneuvers about to be discussed are written from the viewpoint that Washington expected Howe to march toward Philadelphia in a continuation of his 1776 campaign (chesco.org).”
Brandywine, PA 11 September 1777. (Philadelphia Campaign)
At the beginning of the Philadelphia Campaign, General Washington was not sure of General Howe’s plan. That changed when General Howe ...
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...part of the Continental Army’s demise at Brandywine. It is unsure what maps were available at the time, possibly none at all. However, even without maps, General Washington could have sent men on horses to conduct reconnaissance of the area. This would have given him a better idea of the possible places that Howe may have crossed the Brandywine. The fact that Washington had no idea that the Brandywine was crossable just miles north seems hard to understand. If Washington had known this, he could have posted troops at those crossings as well. This would have forced Howe to either march further north, or give Washington more time to react to Howe’s flanking movement.
Works Cited
http://www.chesco.org/documentcenter/view/15529
Eastby, Allen G. "Battle of Brandywine: Setback for the Continental Army." Military History 12 1998: 58-64. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
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"Battles of Lexington and Concord." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. .
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