Battle of Brandywine

While part of Howe's army demonstrated in front of Chadds Ford, Howe took the bulk of his troops on a long march crossing the Brandywine far beyond Washington's right flank. Washington, receiving contradictory reports, continued to believe the main force would attack at Chadds Ford. Upon hearing Cornwallis's column attack, Knyphausen launched an assault across Chadds Ford against the weakened American center, breaking through the divisions of Wayne and William Maxwell and forcing them to retreat, leaving behind most of their cannons. The fighting extended from the Meetinghouse grounds three miles to Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford. The British routed the Continental Army, forcing it to withdraw first to Chester, Pennsylvania, then northeast toward Philadelphia.