BRANDYWINE  , the name of a stream in

Pennsylvania and Delaware, U.S.A., which runs into the Delaware river a few miles east of Wilmington, Delaware . It is famous as the scene of the battle of Brandywine in the American War of Independence, fought on the 11th of September 1777 about 10 m. north-west of Wilmington, and a few miles inside the Pennsylvania border . Sir William Howe, the British commander-in-chief, while opposed to Washington's army in New Jersey, had formed the plan of capturing Philadelphia from the south side by a movement by sea to the head of Delaware Bay . But contrary winds and accidents delayed the British transports so long that Washington, who was at first puzzled, was able to divine his opponents' intentions in time; and rapidly moving to the threatened point he occupied a strong entrenched position at the fords over the Brandywine, 25 M. south-west of Philadelphia . Here on the lath of September the British attacked him . Howe's plan, which was carefully worked out and exactly executed, was to deliver an energetic feint attack against the American front, to take a strong column 12 M . Up the stream, and crossing beyond Washington's right to attack his entrenchments in rear . Washington was successfully held in play during the movement, and General Sullivan, the commander of the American right wing, misled by the conflicting intelligence which reached him from up-stream, was surprised about noon by definite information as to the approach of Cornwallis on his right rear . Changing front " right back " in the dense country, he yet managed to oppose a stubborn resistance to the flanking attack, and with other troops that were hurried to the scene his division held its ground for a time near Birmingham meeting-house . But Howe pressed his attack sharply and drove back the Americans for 2 m.; the holding attack of the British right was converted into a real one, and by nightfall Washington was in full retreat north-ward toward Chester, protected by General Greene and a steady rear-guard, which held off Howe's column for the necessary time . The British were too exhausted to pursue, and part of Howe's force was inextricably mixed up with the advancing troops of the frontal attack . The American loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was about 1000; that of the British less than 600 .

Howe followed up his victory, and on the 27th of September entered Philadelphia .