I just wrote this for class.
Setback for the Continental Army. Eastby, Allen G. Military History; December 1998, Volume 15, Issue 5.
This article by Allen Eastby tells the story of the Battle of Brandywine in the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Brandywine took place on September 11, 1777 in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the area of Chadd’s Ford along the Brandywine Creek. British force had arrived from the South by way of the Chesapeake Bay. The battle was an important victory for the British due to the fact that it left Philadelphia undefended, leading to its occupation at the hands of the British September 26. The occupation of the new American capital would last until June, 1778.
The article discusses in great detail the play-by-play action that un-folded that fateful day. Many names of the military players are mentioned along with the many military regiments serving. It was very useful if you are into cold facts. However, it lacked the greater Historical context and went right into the battle. This can be boring if you are not into pure military history.
An interesting note in the article is where it mentions “Estimated casualties on both sides
were almost equally high -- about 900 British and 850 to 1,000 Continentals -- but according to the 18th Century’s rules of warfare, the British, who had held the field, were victors”. This shows us the changing historical perception of how a war battle is won. In our days, the Continental side could have been considered to have won the battle considering the lowest casualty estimate for the Continental side is lower than the British casualty level. This is very important in understand the evolving nature of military history.
The article also provides us a great look at the diversity involved in the makeup of the soldiers. The British had Hessians fighting alongside them. Hessians were Germans hired out by “Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Kassel (a principality in northern Hesse) and other German leaders” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessian]. They were used “auxiliaries to Great Britain to fight against the American revolutionaries” [Ibid]. They were called Hessians, “because 16,992 of the total 30,067 men came from Hesse-Kassel” [Ibid]. Some were already subjects of King George III already since he also served as the Elector of Hanover. Other Hessians “were sent by Count William of Hesse-Hanau; Duke Charles I of Brunswick-Lüneburg; Prince Frederick of Waldeck; Margrave Karl Alexander of Ansbach-Bayreuth; and Prince Frederick Augustus of Anhalt-Zerbst” [Ibid]. The American side in the war was also diverse since they had French soldiers fighting on their side.
All in all, the article serves as a good Historical source on the Revolutionary War. The only thing it is lacking is a more interesting general context other than the raw military facts. It was from that battle that George Washington’s American troops had to spend the long bitter Winter at Valley Forge due to the ensuing British occupation of Philadelphia. It was an important crossroads in the Revolution.
Topic: The Battle of Brandywine (Read 1533 times)