Battle of Cooch’s Bridge at Iron Hill

Essential Facts

• Also Known As: Battle of Iron Hill.
• Date: September 3, 1777.
• Location: Near present-day Newark, Delaware.
• Participants: United States of America and Great Britain.
• Key American Leaders: William Maxwell, George Washington.
• Key British Leaders: Ludwig von Wurmb, William Howe, Charles Cornwallis.
• Who Won: Britain won the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge.
• Part of: Philadelphia Campaign, American Revolutionary War.
• Significance: The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge is important to American History because it was a key part of the Philadelphia Campaign and the only land battle that took place in Delaware. Various accounts indicate this was the first battle in which American forces carried the Stars and Stripes Flag.

History

Following the American victories at Trenton (December 25, 1776) and Princeton (January 3, 1777), the American and British armies settled into their winter quarters. The Americans were located in and around Morristown, New Jersey, while the British continued to occupy New York City and a handful of outposts in New Jersey, including Brunswick and Perth Amboy.

Between January and March 1777, both armies sent out numerous foraging and scouting parties into New Jersey and New York. The region became a no-man’s-land as they ambushed and engaged each other, battling for control of precious supplies, provisions, and military stores in what is called the New Jersey Provision War.

Meanwhile, the American victories inspired men to support the Patriot Cause and join General George Washington’s Continental Army. They started arriving in the camps around Morristown, but many of them were rough, untrained, and inexperienced. 

At the same time, General William Howe was planning to take his army south to Philadelphia, capture the city, and return to New York to help General John Burgoyne complete a campaign to seize control of the Hudson River Valley (see Saratoga Campaign).

The Provision War ended in April, as both armies started to prepare for the 1777 campaign and emerged from their winter quarters. 

On April 13, General Charles Cornwallis led British forces in a surprise attack on the American outpost at Bound Brook, New Jersey. The Americans were driven out of the town, which the British looted. Although the British left, allowing the Americans to reoccupy the outpost, General Washington took steps to reduce the threat of similar attacks by:

• Consolidating outposts and reducing the number of potential targets for British attacks.
• Moving his army from Morristown, New Jersey, to Middlebrook, New Jersey, just north of Bound Brook and between two ranges of the Watchung Mountains. From this position, Washington’s Army was protected and could monitor British movements in the valley below.
• Placing troops along the main roads to the towns, including the city of Philadelphia.
• Sending General John Sullivan to Princeton to defend the town and block any British movements there.

June Maneuvers

British officials in London were determined to bring the war to a close with the 1777 campaign. Because of this, Howe needed to engage and destroy Washington’s Army. However, he also wanted to limit his army’s casualties. Due to these factors, he did not want to launch a direct assault on Washington in the mountains.

• Howe decided to try to entice Washington to come down from the mountains and engage in battle. 
• On June 12, 1777, Howe marched out of Perth Amboy with 18,000 men to Brunswick and then divided his expedition into two columns, led by General Cornwallis and General Leopold de Heister. They camped on the plains in front of the mountains.

Howe could have marched past Washington and gone southwest to Philadelphia, but he did not bring the supplies he needed to cross the Delaware River, such as portable bridges and boats. Further, if he marched to Philadelphia, he would have to deal with Sullivan in Princeton, and Washington would likely attack him from the rear.

Washington refused to leave the mountains and responded to Howe’s maneuver by repositioning some of his troops to protect his main army and Sullivan’s forces at Princeton.

After a week of waiting, Howe decided to try deception. On the night of June 19, he marched southeast, toward Brunswick. To Washington, it looked like Howe was retreating. In reality, Howe was moving his army so Washington would move his out of the mountains and pursue him. Howe’s trick worked.

Washington sent General Nathanael Greene in pursuit, with orders to harass the rear of Howe’s Army. Anthony Wayne and Daniel Morgan were with him.

• Morgan caught up to the British at Brunswick on June 20 and launched an attack.
• After he was reinforced by troops from the commands of Greene and Wayne, Morgan pushed the British through Brunswick to Piscataway.
• Greene had to call off the pursuit when reinforcements failed to join him.

While this was going on, Washington moved the army out of the mountains to Quibbletown (present-day New Market, New Jersey). Washington also sent General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, to Short Hills, near Metuchen, New Jersey, north of Brunswick.

Over the next six days, Howe prepared to engage Washington. He planned to attack Alexander near the Short Hills Tavern, crush him, and then attack Washington.

• On June 26, British forces launched a surprise attack in the Battle of the Short Hills.
• The Americans were caught by surprise and fell back.
• Alexander, Daniel Morgan, and others were able to take defensive positions and slow the British advance.
• This gave Washington time to move his main army back to a strong defensive position at Middlebrook Heights in the mountains above Quibbletown.
• Alexander and his forces escaped to the mountains.

In the days that followed, the British withdrew, and Howe started his preparations for moving his army to Philadelphia.

• In early July, Howe withdrew from New York City to Staten Island, where he loaded 14,000 troops onto ships under the command of his brother, Admiral Richard Howe. 
• Howe’s Fleet did not set sail for two weeks. This delay confused the Americans..

While Howe knew his destination was Philadelphia, Washington suspected it was Albany. He knew Burgoyne was moving down from Canada toward Fort Ticonderoga. Intelligence reports indicated to Washington that Howe had three options, besides attacking Philadelphia:

1. New England — Howe could attack from the coast, trapping the region between the Royal Navy and the British Army.
2. Hudson River Valley — Howe might deceive Washington and return to New York and march up to Albany in support of Burgoyne’s Campaign.
3. Southern States — Howe could secure ports like Charleston or disrupt the harvest of tobacco and rice in the Chesapeake Region and the Carolinas.

On July 22, Howe’s Fleet sailed away from Sandy Hook, but did not go up the Hudson River. This was recorded by Major John André, who was with Howe’s Army, and documented the fleet’s location in his journal.

The next day, Washington was informed that Howe was sailing southward, indicating his target was either Philadelphia or Charleston.

• AHC Note — “Howe’s Fleet” refers to Admiral Howe’s fleet, while “Howe’s Army” refers to General Howe’s ground forces.

Over the next month, Washington’s network of scouts kept watch on Howe’s Fleet as it appeared, disappeared, and reappeared along the Atlantic Coast.

• July 24 — Washington received confirmation that the fleet was sailing south. He returned to Morristown and instructed General Sullivan and General Alexander to join him.
• July 29 — Howe’s Fleet was seen sailing south.
• July 30 — Washington mobilized his army, crossed the Delaware River, and entered Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He camped at Neshaminy, in Warwick Township, and prepared to march north or south, depending on where Howe’s Fleet landed. Sullivan and Alexander remained at Morristown. Later that day, the fleet was seen at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. It stayed there for a day and started sailing south again. 
• August 10 — Howe’s Fleet was seen off the coast of Maryland.
• August 14 — André said the fleet anchored near Cape Charles, Virginia, at 11 p.m.
• August 21 — Washington held a Council of War with his officers. The consensus was that Howe had gone south to attack Charleston, South Carolina.
• August 23 — Washington received reports that Howe’s Fleet was anchored in the Chesapeake Bay, indicating he intended to march on Philadelphia from the southwest.
• August 24 — According to André, the fleet was at Turkey Point, Delaware, at the entrance to the Elk River.

Washington Marches Through Philadelphia

Washington decided to put himself between Howe and Philadelphia and march to Wilmington, Delaware, about 40 miles southwest of Philadelphia. From Neshaminy, it was about a 50-mile march and meant he had to take his ragged, disheveled army through Philadelphia, where thousands of people and members of the Continental Congress would see it.

• The army left the camp at Neshaminy on August 23, 1777.
• It marched down the York Road to Germantown, northwest of Philadelphia.
• Most of the army camped there for the night.
• General Greene and General Adam Stephen were sent further south toward the head of the Elk River and camped at White Clay Creek, west of Wilmington.

Washington led his army through Philadelphia on August 24. Before entering the city, he issued orders for his men to place green sprigs in their hats and to space themselves out. He hoped this would make the army look more impressive and larger to the crowd.

• Thousands of people turned out to watch the army march through the city.
• Members of Congress watched from the statehouse (today’s Independence Hall)..
• Most cheered as Washington rode at the head of the column on his white horse.
• Marquis de Lafayette was next to him, and Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens were right behind.
• A temporary bridge was constructed over the Schuylkill River, allowing the army to march across it to Darby, Pennsylvania, where they camped that night.

On the 25th, the army marched down the west bank of the Delaware River, moving through Chester and finally arriving at Wilmington. All four divisions, led by Greene, Stephen, Wayne, and Alexander, were there by the 26th. This put most of Washington’s Army about 25 miles northeast of Head of Elk. He sent Sullivan and his division to Princeton, in case Howe’s Fleet left Head of Elk and sailed back out to sea.

According to a report published in 1902 by the Delaware Historical Society, the American camp was laid out as follows:

• Washington established his headquarters in a house on Quaker Hill. This house was located on the west side of West Street, between Third and Fourth Street.
• The army encamped on the high ground north of Delaware Avenue, between Harrison and Clayton Streets.
• Washington remained at the house on Quaker Hill until September 9.
• The army had posts on the north side of White Clay Creek and the east side of Red Clay Creek near Stanton and Kiamensi, with pickets out as far as Christiana Bridge.

AHC Note — The location of Washington’s Headquarters in Wilmington is disputed. The Delaware Society of the Cincinnati marked it at Quaker Hill in 1902. The accounts of David Byrnes and Thomas Read may contradict this location (see Appendix).

Washington’s Scouting Expedition

On August 25, 1777, Howe’s Fleet sailed up the Elk River to Elk Ferry, across from Cecil Courthouse. According to André, Howe’s Army started disembarking on the west side of the river.

Washington wanted to see Howe’s Army for himself, so the next day, August 26, he led a small expedition, including Greene and Lafayette, to the hills overlooking the British camp.

• The view of the British camp was obstructed on both Iron Hill and Grey’s Hill.
• Disappointed, Washington started to return to Wilmington, and heavy rains started to fall.
• Washington, Greene, and Lafayette took refuge in the home of Robert Alexander, a Loyalist.
• According to Lafayette, Washington knew this was a risky move, and admitted the next morning that “a single traitor could have betrayed him.”

Washington Prepares for Battle

Washington returned to Wilmington on August 27, 1777, and started making preparations for his upcoming battle with Howe.

• Washington had his men start digging trenches and building defensive works around Wilmington.
• Troops were deployed to several locations southwest of Wilmington, including Iron Hill.
• General William Smallwood and Colonel Mordecai Gist were sent to Maryland to gather militia and prepare to attack the rear of Howe’s army if he marched toward Philadelphia.
• Scouts were sent out to observe and report on the movements of Howe’s Army.

Washington described his unproductive scouting mission to John Hancock, President of Congress: “I, this morning, returned from Head of Elk, which I left last night. In respect to the enemy, I have nothing new to communicate. They remain where they debarked first. I could not find out from inquiry what number is landed nor form an estimate from the distant view I had from their encampment. But few tents were to be seen from Iron Hill and Grey’s Hill, which are the only eminences about Elk.”

Howe’s Proclamation

General Howe issued a proclamation. On August 27, 1777, he offered protection to Loyalists and pardons to those who voluntarily surrendered: “…Officers and private men, now actually in arms against His MAJESTY, may be willing to relinquish the Part they have taken in this Rebellion, and return to their due Allegiance: SIR WILLIAM Howe doth therefore promise a free and general Pardon to all Such Officers and private Men, as shall voluntarily come and surrender themselves to any Detachment of His MAJESTY’s Forces, before the Day on which it shall be notified that the said Indulgence is to be discontinued.”

British Forces Advance to Iron Hill

Howe marched from his landing place toward the town of Head of Elk (Elkton) on August 28, 1777. He divided his army into two divisions, led by Cornwallis and Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Howe rose with Cornwallis, who went to Elkton, while Knyphausen crossed the Elk River and went to Cecil Courthouse (on August 30).

• After landing near Elk Ferry, British soldiers looted and raided the countryside and merchant ships to compensate for their supply shortages. Howe issued orders for his men to stop, but the Hessian troops refused and continued to carry out foraging missions.
• British advance forces engaged American militia at Elkton and Cecil Courthouse and drove them off. The Americans retreated northeast to Grey’s Hill, then withdrew to Iron Hill when the British approached.
• British forces remained in the vicinity of Elkton, Iron Hill, and Cecil Courthouse, about 50 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Washington went to Iron Hill, roughly a mile from Grey’s Hill, to observe the British. Around the same time, Howe climbed Grey’s Hill to observe the Americans. While on the hill, they saw each other. One of Howe’s men wrote, “Those of our officers who know Washington well, maintained that the man in the plain coat was Washington.”

Maxwell’s Light Infantry Corps

With Howe on the move, Washington needed a mobile force to engage the British and slow their advance. Unfortunately, his troops best suited to the task were led by Daniel Morgan, and he had sent them northward to help the Northern Army defend the Hudson River Valley.

• On August 28, 1777, Washington ordered the formation of a new unit of light infantry designed for scouting missions and for skirmishing with enemy forces.
• General William Maxwell was given the command of what was known as “Maxwell’s Brigade.”
• This was the first light infantry unit in the history of the United States Army.

On August 29, Washington reported Howe’s movements to President Hancock: “The enemy advanced a part of their army yesterday to Grey’s Hill about two miles on this side of Elk; whether they intend to take post there or to cover while they remove what stores they found in the town, I cannot yet determine.”

Then, on August 30, he updated Hancock and told him about Maxwell’s Brigade: “…the enemy remain as they were. I was reconnoitering the country and different roads all yesterday, and am now setting out on the same business again…Sensible of the advantages of light troops, I have formed a corps under the command of a Brigadier by drafting a hundred men from each brigade, which is to be constantly near the enemy and to give them every possible annoyance.”

Maxwell’s Brigade was sent to Iron Hill, with instructions to block the road that ran from Cooch’s Mill to Wilmington. This included Cooch’s Bridge on Christina Creek, which was about five miles northeast of Elkton.

• On September 2, Washington warned Maxwell that the British would move in his direction the following day and told him to “give them as much trouble as you possibly can.”
• That same day, Knyphausen left Cecil Courthouse and marched northeast, up the east side of the Delaware River, to Cecil’s Tavern.

Howe Mobilizes

Finally, on the morning of September 3, Cornwallis and Howe started to march northeast toward Wilmington. They hoped to merge with Knyphausen before they reached the vicinity of Iron Hill, but Knyphausen did not appear. The march took them past the south side of Iron Hill.

A British officer, Captain John Montressor, wrote, “At daybreak, the whole [army] under march, except two brigades with Major General Grant, took the lower road to Christine, by the way of Aikin’s Tavern, in order to avoid Iron Hill. At this tavern, we were to be joined by the troops under General Knyphausen, but did not perceive them.”

Battle of Cooch’s Bridge Begins

The British advance force, led by Hessians under Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb, moved ahead and approached Iron Hill by way of present-day Old Cooch’s Bridge Road. Around 9:00 a.m., the Hessians were about two miles from the bridge when they were ambushed by men from Maxwell’s Brigade, opening the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge.

• The Americans fired on the Hessians from behind trees and rocks.
• Wurmb counterattacked by turning his two artillery guns on the Americans and sending some of his men into the forest to engage them.

A running fight started as the Americans slowly fell back toward Cooch’s Bridge. The Americans were running out of ammunition, and by the time they reached the bridge, they were engaged in intense hand-to-hand fighting.

• Wurmb sent some men to attack the left of the American line and launched a bayonet attack on the center. 
• The Americans continued to fight as the Hessians pushed forward.

Howe sent two units of British troops to reinforce the Hessians, instructing them to attack the Americans from both sides.

• The British unit that tried to attack the American right ended up in a place called “Purgatory Swamp” and was unable to engage. André recalled, “The attempts made by our Troops to get round them were defeated by their being unable to pass a swamp.”
• The one that attacked the American left was successful and eventually pushed the Americans across Christina Creek (called Christiana Creek in 1777).

The battle continued for the next two hours, as Maxwell’s men retreated, fired on the British, and retreated again. Eventually, this defensive retreat broke down, and Maxwell’s men fled.

• The Americans fell back to Washington’s main force at White Clay Creek, approximately 4 miles north of Cooch’s Bridge.
• This marked the end of the only land battle that took place in Delaware.

Later that day, Washington sent a report of the battle to President Hancock: “This morning, the enemy came out with a considerable force and three pieces of artillery against our light advanced corps, and after some pretty smart skirmishing, obliged them to retreat, being far superior in numbers, and without cannon. 

The loss on either side is not yet ascertained; ours, though not exactly known, is not very considerable; theirs, we have reason to believe, was much greater as some of our parties composed of expert marksmen had opportunity of giving them several close, well directed fires, more particularly in one instance, when a body of riflemen formed a kind of ambuscade. 

They advanced about two miles this side of Iron Hill and then withdrew to that place, leaving a picket at Cooch’s Mill about a mile in front. Our parties now lie at White Clay Creek, except the advanced pickets, which are at Christiana Bridge.”

Aftermath

Following the battle, Howe’s Army remained in the area between Iron Hill and Aiken’s Tavern (present-day Glasgow). Knyphausen joined him there, along with 500 cows, 1,000 sheep, and 100 horses. Howe sent his wounded soldiers and extra supplies back to the fleet, which was still near Elk Ferry.

On September 6, 1777, André wrote, “The general reports concerning Washington’s Arms were that they were posted between Brandywine & Christien Creeks; that he had a body of men at Christien Bridge up to which gondolas came, and that Wilmington, which he had in his rear, was fortified and covered by gallies in either Creek.”

Meanwhile, Washington moved his army southwest, toward Newport, Delaware. The main army arrived by September 6, 1777, although Maxwell remained at White Clay Creek.

• During the march to Newport, Washington and his officers held a meeting at the home of Daniel Byrnes, a miller and preacher. Today, it is known as the “Hale-Byrnes House.”
• André wrote, “Several deserters came in. They said that Washington had advanced toward Newport, and all insisted that their General was in the intention to stand in action.”

On September 8, Howe sent troops toward Washington’s position, but this was another deceptive move. He sent the rest of his army west to move around Washington’s right flank. Howe intended to cross Brandywine Creek and occupy the high ground. 

Washington realized what Howe was trying to do and responded. He moved back to Wilmington, crossed Brandywine Creek, and marched 12 miles to Chadds Ford, where he assembled a line on the east side of the Brandywine:

• Right — John Sullivan, William Alexander, and Adam Stephen were on the right, two miles north, where they defended the river crossings.
• Center — Nathanael Greene was in the center at Chadds Ford.
• Left — John Armstrong Sr. and the Pennsylvania Militia were on the left, eight miles south of Chadds Ford.

Washington’s report to President Hancock on September 9 said: “The enemy advanced yesterday with a seeming intention of attacking us upon our post near Newport. We waited for them the whole day, but they halted in the evening at a place called Milltown, about two miles from us. Upon reconnoitering their situation, it appeared probable that they only meant to amuse us in front while their real intent was to march by our right, and, by suddenly passing the Brandywine and gaining the heights upon the North side of that river, get between us and Philadelphia, and cut us off from that city. To prevent this, it was judged expedient to change our position immediately. The army accordingly marched at two o’clock this morning and will take post this evening upon high ground near Chadd’s Ford.”

• September 9 — British forces reached Kennett Square, 8-10 miles southwest of Chadds Ford. André said, “General Howe’s Column had reached Kennet’s Square early in the morning, and the whole was encamped there.”
• September 10 — Washington maintained his positions on the east side of Brandywine Creek and also placed Maxwell’s Brigade on the west side to slow the British advance.

According to John Marshall, a soldier in Washington’s Army and the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, “The armies were now within seven miles of each other, with only the Brandywine between them, which opposed no obstacle to a general engagement. This was sought by Howe, and not avoided by Washington. It was impossible to protect Philadelphia without a victory, and this object was deemed throughout America, and especially by Congress, of such magnitude as to require that an action should be hazarded for its attainment.”

Appendix

John Marshall’s Account of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge

This account of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge is taken from a 1926 edition of The Life of George Washington, written by John Marshall. Please note that minor text corrections have been made, and spacing has been added.

Morgan’s regiment of riflemen, which had been found particularly useful during the incursion into Jersey, had been detached to the Northern Army, a corps of light infantry was formed of nine officers, eight sergeants, and 100 rank and file from each brigade the command of which was given to General Maxwell, who in the course of the last Winter had acquired some reputation as a partisan. 

This corps advanced to Iron Hill, approximately three miles in front of White Clay Creek, and extended towards Aiken’s Tavern. The cavalry, consisting of four regiments amounting to about 900 men, including persons of every description, was employed principally on the lines in watching the enemy, gaining intelligence, and picking up stragglers.

The movement intended to be made by General Howe on the 3rd of September was discovered from his previous arrangements; and it was recommended by the Commander-in-Chief to General Maxwell to post a choice body of men in the night, on an advantageous part of the road, in order to annoy him on the march. 

In the morning of the 3rd…two divisions under Lord Cornwallis and General Knyphausen moved forward and formed a junction near Pencader or Atkin’s Tavern, where they encamped, with the right at Pencader and the left extending across the Christiana towards Newark.

The column under Lord Cornwallis fell in with, and attacked Maxwell, who made a short resistance, and then retreated over White Clay Creek, with a loss of about forty killed and wounded. The loss sustained by the British, as stated in the official letter of Sir William Howe, was only three killed and nineteen wounded.

Washington’s Camp Near Stanton

This account of Washington’s camp near Stanton, Delaware, is taken from Proceedings at the Unveiling of the Monument at Cooch’s Bridge (1902). Please note that minor text corrections have been made, and spacing has been added.

Daniel Byrnes was the son of Caleb Byrnes, who, about 1773, became one of the owners of the Red Clay Creek Mill near Stanton, and the story had evidently been handed down from father to son, the father having lived at Red Clay Creek Mill during the encampment.

Soon after father and mother settled at this place, there came some trying times. A few days previous to the Battle of Brandywine, General Washington, with all his American army, was camped on the rising ground before our door and around to White Clay Creek Bridge and farther westward; the cannon were placed on this rise of ground for half a mile as thick as they could stand.

General Washington’s headquarters were at William Marshall’s, about the center of his army (which is near the present Meeting House in Stanton). The British army had landed below Elkton and was coming up the post road towards Christiana Bridge, and was hourly expected to appear in the front of the American army, about a mile and a half distant from them.

Uncle Daniel’s home and mill were right on the road about three-quarters of a mile south of the American army. What a situation his and father’s family were in. At this juncture, the battle was expected to commence every hour.

The officers requested father to remove the family, for they said the house would be shot down or be torn to pieces with the cannon balls. Many families removed their goods up some miles into the country. 

Uncle Daniel and our family remained, and I have heard my mother say that she intended, when the battle began, to take us children down into the cellar under a large arch which was under the chimney. 

When the British army arrived at Christiana Bridge, three miles south of us, they then left the road and went up north, intending to go around the American army six miles above. 

Information was soon given to General Washington of this, and the next morning by daylight, the whole American army was gone; they took the road by the Brandywine Springs and arrived at Chadd’s Ford before the British, where a battle took place…

Washington’s Withdrawal from Stanton to Brandywine

This account of Washington’s withdrawal from Stanton to Brandywine is taken from Proceedings at the Unveiling of the Monument at Cooch’s Bridge (1902). Please note that minor text corrections have been made, and spacing has been added.

On the 25th of August, 1777, the British army embarked at Elk Ferry. General Washington was encamped near Stanton, about six miles below Wilmington. A smart skirmish at Cooch’s Bridge between the outposts, and within five miles of Washington’s encampment, gave the first intimation of the dangerous proximity of the enemy.

To give battle in such a position with our raw troops against disciplined veterans would prove ruinous; to retreat by the high road, with a well-appointed and regular army hanging on the rear, might prove more disastrous than a pitched battle. Every precaution, therefore, was made for departure, but how to retreat was the great question and demanded a speedy solution.

The geographical information of the neighbors did not extend beyond the limits of the contiguous farms and the roads to the nearest markets, and no information could be obtained. 

Between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, a council of war was called, and while the greatest anxiety prevailed. Colonel Duff, a gallant officer then acting as one of Washington’s staff, entered the room and exclaimed: “I know the man that can extricate us.”

“Mount and bring without a moment’s delay,” was the order, and immediately the Colonel was on his way to execute it. After traveling five miles, he reached the house of Mr. Read at twelve o’clock at night, roused him from his bed, and in ten minutes his horse was at the door and he in the saddle, and both under whip and spur for the camp. In half an hour, they had gone over the whole distance, notwithstanding an exceedingly bad road, and Mr. Read was introduced to Washington in his tent. 

He mapped out for the General, within a small space, the whole adjacent country, and all the cross and by-roads accurately marked, and by this means the General effected a safe retreat to the Brandywine.