Letters from Brandywine. An ETW collab AAR
Greetings all,
When it was announced that ETW would have a Multiplayer campaign, TinCow and myself decided to really take advantage of such an amazing opportunity that it presented from a literary standpoint. Thus we came up with the idea of doing collab AARs. Each would pick a faction and we would write about our exploits from the different view points, to give a full view of the battlefield as imagined by us.
When the demo hit, we saw potential to try out our new format in the Land Battle. Have a look see! We're going to be hosting much more of these sorts of write ups in the Mead Hall when ETW hits.
-------------------------------------------
Letters from Brandywine
On the eve of battle, General Washington, Commander of Colonial forces around Philadelphia writes to the Continental Congress.
Originally Posted by George Washington to the Continental Congress
Head Qurs., Chadds Ford, September 10, 1777.
Sir: When I had the Honor of addressing you last, I informed you, that the Main Body of the Enemy had landed at the head of the Elk River. The quick movements of General Howe’s Regiments make an accurate count of the Enemy difficult, but is probable that they are at least of equal strength to our own arms, if not superior. We expect that we shall be engaged along the Brandywine in the morning. We suppose their design is to attempt an impression on our left by the ford in that direction, as an advance on the Main Crossing could not be attempted without great loss.
In the event that the Enemy gains a hold on the East side of the Creek, Philadelphia would be imperiled. I do most rigorously urge Congress to make ready to Abandon the city and retreat to a more secure locale. The Continental Army will do its utmost to prevent the capture of the City, but prudence requires preparations in the Event that we are unable to hold back the Enemy.
I have the honor, etc.
George Washington
The following day, Washington sent this letter to Congress, reporting the battle's resolution.
Head Qurs., September 12, 1777.
Sir: I regret to inform Congress that the Enemy has forced the Brandywine and holds strong on the East side. Yesterday morning, the Continental Regiments were drawn up in defense of the Main Ford, with the Secondary Crossing under watch. General Howe chose boldly; making a direct maneuver on our line and ignoring the Secondary.
In Support of the march, the British Artillery moved to the High Ground on our left, from which a clear shot could be had at the Regiments defending the Ford. Our Artillery acquitted themselves admirably with counter-battery fire, which quickly silenced their guns and pushed them off the Hill. I commend the Captain of the Continental Artillery for his exceptional service in this matter.
Howsoever, the Enemy remained undeterred by the loss of their battery fire and pressed on to the crossing without pause. The first line was composed largely of Hessian Regiments and British Grenadiers. The Men performed admirably in holding their own against the fire of such a professional force. The casualties on both sides were great indeed. The Hessians continued forward and charged the Line. Once again, the American Regiments performed well, routing a large number of the skilled Hessians, before our Line became untenable. With the arrival of Highland Regiments in support of the Breach, we were forced to withdraw to a secondary Line of Defense.
From this spot the harassment of the Enemy movements continued, but we were unable to prevent them from crossing in Force. I regret that my Runner, Cpl. Watkins, was killed with the orders for the Artillery in hand. This prevented them from removing to safety, and the batteries were lost to the Enemy’s Dragoons after an admirable struggle. Without the benefit of grapeshot to hold our Left, the British Regiments began a maneuver in that direction.
Being outflanked in this manner, the Continental Regiments withdrew under heavy fire. By this point, the position was untenable, but Battle continued to hold back the Enemy in the best way possible. The Regiments arranged again into a third line to volley at the advancing foe. The Loss to the British was great in this final advance, and I can report that much of General Howe’s Cavalry has been put out of commission. However, our Brethren suffered greatly as well and eventually I was forced to concede the field.
I ordered a General Retreat under covering fire from the Long Rifles. Their splendid service gave us the necessary time to withdraw from the field with our colors. The American Army remains intact, but we have been pushed back and the Road to Philadelphia is open to the Enemy. Due to our losses and the state of our baggage, I cannot intercept the Enemy before he reaches the City. I thus urge Congress to evacuate immediately for Lancaster, until Philadelphia can be regained.
I shall remain in the area and harass the Enemy’s positions and outposts. If I cannot remove General Howe from the city before the season changes, we shall Winter at Valley Forge, so as to be able to continue raids on the Enemy, without being excessively exposed.
Let it never be said, that on the Day of Action, the American Regiments turned their backs on the foe. This Army of our Countrymen threw back the most feared European Regiments and inflicted great Loss on the Enemy. While we have lost the field, we will not suffer the wounds given to our Country to go unrevenged. The British Advance will be halted and the City will be regained before long. When an opportunity presents, we will show General Howe that Occupation of our Homes cannot be done without Extreme Loss to British lives. The Enemy is fatally mistaken if they believe the Inhabitants of this Continent will submit to Unlawful Rule over the simple occupation of Philadelphia. We shall triumph over all our misfortunes, and shall, in the end, be ultimately happy.
I am etc.
George Washington
Excerpted from the Memoirs of William Howe, written on the morning after the battle's conclusion.
By the Lord above how is it that I find myself continually placed into predicaments that no man should be forced to endure? I had hoped that after the disastrous victory at Bunker Hill some two years prior I would be remised from another horrific scene. Damn my own arrogance, and damn Washington! He may be a rebel but he was no fool. As we entered the area around Chadds Ford our scouts spied the rebel army camped along the bank, determined to deny us passage and catch us in a deadly field of fire. Washington’s position was without flaw, or so I had thought, for now I know the horrible truth. In the haste to attack and crush the forces under Washington I overlooked a perfect crossing some miles to the north. Had we utilized such a path, many men who died today may still have been alive.
But I was quick to decide, and slow to change my plans. I wanted a victory here today. The men gave me England one, but by God they paid for it with their lives. We advanced on Chadds Ford under constant fire from the Colonial twenty-six pounders, which skillfully managed to take out our own battery as we advanced. I should have pulled back to regroup then and there, but we pushed on regardless under heavy fire from the artillery. If it were not for the great skill and discipline of His Majesty’s troops this day would surely have been lost, for when we crossed the ford we quickly found ourselves in a deadly crossfire.
I take solace in the fact I myself did not lead that first wave, for I do not know how I could sleep this coming night should I have been subjected to the deafening sounds of the guns quieted only by the coming screams of the fallen. The Hessians, who led the effort, showed the finest examples of soldiering I’ve ever witnessed. I watched them standing toe to toe with the Colonials before fixing bayonets and charging home and tying up the rebel force. Occupied in hand-to-hand I ordered reinforcements to cross the ford led by our Highlander brigades. The Charge of the Hessians was something I doubt I’ll forget for many a week now, they fought ferociously, tooth and nail despite horrible losses.
Cannon-shot ripped our lines into pieces as we struggled to set up a second line. The battle was stagnating until the Hessians managed a break through! The Colonials fell back and began to reform and it was then that I sent out our Hussars to once and for all silence those artillery positions. It is with regret, however, that so many men need pay with their lives as we established a beach-head on the bank of the river. As I crossed through the river with my detail I could not ignore the terrible horror as men lay motionless, floating in the shallow ford as their blood emptied into the beautiful water. May God have forgiveness on me for sending so many of England’s young men to their deaths.
Washington had reformed his lines by now and our men traded volley and shot with the Colonials, but I knew our men were becoming drained. Washington was not the man I thought he was, I was certain if I could batter down his front line he would retreat, and now he reforms?! It took a flanking action around the hill that he had positioned his artillery on to convince him his position was folly. Trapped in a cross-fire he decided to pull back, or so I believed. I couldn’t believe the audacity of this man, he reformed a second time and was ready to fight yet again!
At the relief to my conscience he decided to at last retreat after just two more volleys, we tried to press our advance but soon came under fire from concealed men in the tree line. One shot even managed to kill my aid who rode beside me, such arrogance. Under the harrying fire from the sharpshooters I was forced to pull our men together and tighten our position around the ford. There will be time to deal with Washington soon, but I expect he has naught the men to deny us entry into Philadelphia. We will make preparations to march soon. I pray the blood spilled on account of my impetuosity this day will be vindicated upon the city’s capture.
Reply With Quote
.
~ 
. -- 
-----
-----
--
. By your powers combined I am!
. -----------
-----------
Bookmarks