John Fletcher, Sr.

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   Person Info

   Name: John Fletcher 1

   Sex: M

   Birth:

   Death: ABT 10 SEP 1777 in Battle of Brandywine, PA

   Person Id: I11147

   Tree Id: 110177

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Parents

   Father:

   Unknown

   Mother:

   Unknown

Family
Marriage:

   Married: MARY KATHARINE "Molly" KYLE on BEF 1774.

   MARY KATHARINE "Molly" KYLE: Birth: 1755 in (Tyrone County, Ireland). Death: AFT 1823 in Johnson County, Tennessee

Children:

   John Fletcher: Birth: ABT 1775. Death: BEF 1850 in Carter County, Tennessee, USA

Sources
1. Title: Historical Reminiscences of Carter County, TN
Page: p94
Author: Mildred Kozsuch, Editor
Publication: Name: The Overmountain Press, Johnson City, TN; c 1985; Location: Tennessee Room,;

Notes
a. Note: John Fletcher, second husband of Mary Kyle, was one of the earliest land owners and permanent settlers before 1800 in the Winner and Carter community at Little Stoney Creek in Carter County, Tennessee, along with her first husband, Arthur Johnston, and her third husband, John Michael Smithpeter. John Fletcher was killed in action at the Battle of Brandywine during the early days of the American Revolution, and was survived by one son John Fletcher, Jr. His grandson, Andrew J. Fletcher, served as Secretary of State of Tennessee during Brownlow's administration during the Civil War. Another grandson, Hampton Hyder, was a prominent businessman on Stoney Creek.
  BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE: The Battle of Brandywine, on September 11, 1777, was one of the largest land battles fought during the Revolution. By some estimates, the British army, when it landed in Maryland two weeks earlier, numbered approximately 16,000, whereas the Continental Army, under General George Washington, might have been as large as 13,000. Thus, almost 30,000 soldiers were engaged in a desperate struggle over control of the territory around Philadelphia.
  Given the initial host of combatants, an accurate accounting of casualties would be informative, but in the case of this battle, the numbers are elusive. Since the losses on both sides were heavy - much heavier for the British than the official reports indicated - General Sir William Howe was naturally inclined to propagandize on behalf of his British forces, keeping the body count low. A large disparity occurs between Howe�s official report to Parliament of his losses (90 dead, 488 wounded) and the numbers given in a dispatch found after the Germantown Battle (1,976). The same report lists Continental losses at 1,300, which is close to the number given by Major General Nathanael Greene, although these estimates are far from certain. The numbers generally accepted are 800 to 1,200 Continentals killed or wounded, while possibly as many as 2,000 British met the same fate.
  Many other wounded and incapacitated Continentals were loaded into springless open wagons and transported in the direction of Philadelphia. There they were to be sent on to Trenton where a Continental hospital had been established. Due to the vagaries of war and the uncertain fate of the city and environs, the wounded were moved yet again to greater safety in Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton. Others were sent to Moravian religious communities in Ephrata, Bethlehem, Lititz, and Reading. Diseases such as typhus, yellow fever, and malaria plagued the hospitals. In his memoirs Dr. Rush noted "Fatal experience has taught the people of America�that a greater proportion of men have perished with sickness in our armies than have fallen by the sword."
  Burial details are hard to come by, but eyewitness accounts that exist indicate that mass burials in shallow pits were the norm. Joseph Townsend�s account is illustrative: "�the inhabitants found it necessary to call in the assistance of their neighbors to rebury many of the dead, who lay exposed to the open air and ravages of beasts and wild fowls, having in consequence of the late heavy rains, been washed bare, and some few of them had never been interred."
  On the March to Brandywine: The British landed at the Head of Elk and were ready to march north. Their likely goal was the capture of Philadelphia. Meanwhile, George Washington rapidly moved his troops between Howe's army and Philadelphia. A jittery Continental Congress was watching. Howe was counting on a legion of Loyalists to join him. That didn't happen. Further, the British commander confronted a logistical nightmare: he had to find food for a massive army in unfamiliar territory. Both commanders stood two weeks away from one of the largest and bloodiest battles in the war. In between were bad roads, sick horses, rampant plundering, and a failed peace overture. Several empty supply wagons rolled into Lord Cornwallis's camp at Kennett Square on the 10th of September. Veteran British soldiers certainly knew what these wagons would be used for -- to carry wounded and dying soldiers from the battlefield. After an uneventful spring, several weeks at sea, and 16 days of uncomfortable marching, the first battle of the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777 was at hand. Moving On Up: Thursday 4 a.m. Cold plumes of smoke billowed from the chilled nostrils of the freshly awakened, gaunt British horses. They were being saddled by a group of Jagers who, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, would be in the vanguard of a column setting out from Head of Elk and marching toward Elkton. British Captain Montresor reported that as the vanguard moved out they left behind two burning houses. It "appeared to have been done on purpose," he wrote. The troops marched in formations wider than the road. The vanguard troops tore down fences and obstructions for those behind. The army on the march was impressive. A contemporary diarist noted that it was: a beautiful sight to see ... as they came in sight on the river slope west of the town, with their scarlet coats, their bright guns and bayonets gleaming in the rays of an early August sun. The day grew warm and clear as the column advanced. They progressed at the somewhat slow rate of about a mile and a half an hour, due in part to a massive cannon being hauled over rain-rutted roads. After the five-hour journey, covering eight miles, the head of the column entered Elkton, by now a virtual ghost town, deserted in anticipation of the British arrival. In fact, the crafty Delaware militia had taken supplies just minutes earlier and then scattered at the sight of the invaders, burning a bridge on the east end of town as they went. This inconvenienced the British slightly, forcing the invading column to ford a shallow creek before entering town. The Delaware militia retreated toward the elevations of Grey's Hill and Iron Hill, slightly to the northeast. Howe arrived in Elkton by day's end and set up his headquarters at the Elk Tavern. British and Hessian officers were quartered in houses deserted by residents. The 71st Regiment maintained the line of communication between Cornwallis's Division at Elkton and Knyphausen's predominantly Hessian Division which was still unloading from the ships. While at Elkton, scavenging parties went in search of provisions. Although the punishment in the British army for theft of property was hanging or whipping, this didn't seem to deter this untoward behavior.
  A Mystery On Saturday, August 30, Captain Montresor who was with the advance group at Iron Works penned a provocative entry in his journal: "The Jagers who are forward fired two cannon shot at some officers with their escort, reconnoitering." Two mysteries endure from the journal entry. The first mystery is why were the Jagers firing at officers since the British considered shooting at officers a breach of war etiquette? The second unanswered question is, could the Jagers have been firing on Washington himself? While it's not likely that Washington would have ventured as far south as the area near Iron Works, the American commander was recorded to be out reconnoitering that Saturday.
  Lodging and Dislodging British and Hessian officers were quartered in town, while soldiers built a camp northeast of town, dislodging the overmatched Delaware militia. Small boats carrying camping equipment, baggage, and food were sent up the Little Elk Creek. Some exchanges with the militia were recorded, but overall the British were uninterrupted in their camp-raising and provision-stealing.
  Divide and Forage By Saturday, August 29, Howe came to the decision to temporarily divide his command into two divisions in order to facilitate foraging. There was now very little food remaining in the ships' stores. Of particular concern was a lack of fodder for the horses who had already suffered greatly during the journey. With Howe at Elkton was General Cornwallis. Still at the landing site was General Knyphausen with the 3rd British Brigade and the dragoons under the command of Major General Grey. Instead of bringing them up to Elkton, he ordered them to go east.
  Cornwallis Takes Iron Works Meanwhile back at Elkton, Cornwallis responded to a skirmish with the Delaware militia. He ordered an advance corps of 400 infantrymen to secure a position on Iron Hill, thus keeping the ever-pestering militia at a safe distance from his main division. Shortly after that skirmish, Cornwallis himself led a raid which captured Iron Works, a village located four miles north of Iron Hill. A British soldier noted that the militia impressively defended with "smart fire." Upon hearing the American shooting, "the whole (British) party marched immediately towards it, but the rebels kept firing and retreated, and at last dispersed in the woods." Casualties on both sides were light.
  Back at Head of Elk General Howe arranged with his brother, Admiral Howe, to start preparations for removing the fleet from the Chesapeake Bay. It was decided that the admiral would sail down the Chesapeake and then sail north toward the Delaware River. The army would carry all their own supplies. General Grant remained stationed at Head of Elk with the fleet to unload the remaining supplies and to preserve communicaton until the ships departed.
  Howe Moves Things Along Back at the Elkton, Howe suffered from not knowing the area's topography. His maps gave him "very inaccurate accounts" and his spies "very little intelligence." Yet Howe knew he would have to make tracks during the hot days of September to make up for lost time. He ordered Knyphausen to get going and rendezvous with Cornwallis at Aikin's Tavern. Soon after the orders were given, it started to rain again. Despite the swampy roads, Knyphausen's division advanced north from their previous night at Carson's Tavern and attached itself to the rear of Cornwallis's division at Aikin's Tavern on the morning of September 3rd. Meanwhile Grey's column moved ahead to Lum's Pond. On the morning of September 3, the British troops set out toward Cooch's Bridge. A surprise awaited them there.
  Washington Heads to White Clay Creek Congress requested the Executive Council of Pennsylvania to raise 5,000 men and arm them. The state, always loath to make military expenditures, did not acquiesce in any such quantity. In Wilmington, Washington, now reunited with his generals, called in as much militia support as he could find to help bolster his army. Washington expected Howe to march directly toward Philadelphia. He sent the Delaware Militia to Christiana Bridge to scout, perhaps to encourage a British advance in that direction, and, if Howe were to move his troops elsewhere, at least this would prevent the locals from supplying the enemy. At 4 a.m., he ordered a march "which proceeded thro Wilmington, Newport and Rising Sun" and encamped in White Clay Creek, about ten miles north of Elkton. Why do we assemble in arm? Was it not to protect the property of our countrymen? And shall we to our eternal reproach be the first to pillage and destroy it? Will no motives of humanity, of real interest and of honor restrain the violence of the soldiers? How many noble designs have miscarried, how many victories have been lost, how many armies have been ruined by an indulgence of soldiers in plundering? George Washington, who was fully aware of the deleterious effect Continental plundering would have on those neutral and those of wavering support to the patriot's cause. To the put-upon civilian population, both armies must have seemed like little more than a plague of locusts.
  Organizing and Annoying On Saturday, the 29th, Washington recognized the need for a new group of sharpshooters to replace Morgan's Riflemen, who were fighting in New York with Gates. He sought 700 recruits: 100 from each of seven brigades -- the finest marksmen -- to form a new corps of light infantrymen under the command of New Jersey General William Maxwell. Meanwhile, Washington sent out the militia to scout and annoy the British positions farther south.
  White Clay to Red Clay Not confident in the defensibility of his current position, Washington ordered his army to fall back toward Red Clay Creek during the wee hours of the morning of the 30th. Here, Washington arranged his troops for battle. Later that morning, Washington, Nathanael Greene, and General Weedon went out reconnoitering and Greene found what he believed was a superior spot, but Washington disagreed. Now, Washington turned his attention to the forts defending the Delaware River. Washington issued directives to drive off all cattle and horses and leave the country as barren as possible. If there should be any mills in the neighborhood of the enemy, and which might be liable to fall into their hands, the runners [millstones] should be removed and secured ... Grain, too, should be carried out of way, as far as circumstances will admit. -George Washington (8/31/77)
  Washington also considered the possibility of having to retreat and what options he would have. So he posted two batallions of Pennsylvania Militia along fords on the east side of the Brandywine Creek and directed them to "fix upon the best ground for defending those passes." He did this to protect the rear. On September 1, Washington published good news from Oriskany for all to read: The British and their Indian allies were repulsed from their eastern push into Saratoga, in New York. (This would contribute to the American victory there on October 7/
  Battle of Cooch's Bridge American General William Maxwell had already stationed his special corps at Cooch's Bridge. He discovered that the vanguard of Cornwallis's division was now bearing down on him. Maxwell had planted troops in readiness for an ambush along either side of the road leading from Aikin's tavern. He strung his troops out for a mile below Cooch's Bridge where the thick woods of September covered him. Maxwell ordered his troops to shoot and retreat until he himself decided on a place to make a stand.
  In the vanguard of Cornwallis's column was the British light infantry and two amusettes and nearly 300 Hessian and Anspach chasseurs under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb. Von Wurmb, writing to a friend after the battle, reported that, "about a mile beyond [Aikin's Tavern] the country was close -- the woods within shot of the road frequently in front and flank and in projecting point towards the road. Here the rebels began to attack us about 9 o'clock with continued irregular fire for nearly two miles." In short, the road was ripe for an ambush. And the silver hammers of Maxwell's musketeers came to bear upon the British.
  The spirited American ambush began about two miles south of Cooch's Bridge. Mimicking tactics learned from Native Americans, the Americans hid behind trees and rocks and laid round after round into the British. Initially the British had a hard time knowing where to return fire. After taking their shots, the Americans would fall back, reload, and fire again. In this way they fell back toward Cooch's Bridge, using the familiar terrain to their advantage. Finally, near the Bridge itself the Americans "had shot themselves out of ammunition ... the fight was carried on with the sword" and bayonet. These were weapons that gave the British the advantage. In fact, the British now held several advantages: they were accustomed to bayonet fighting most American guns didn't have bayonets (they were originally intended as hunting rifles) they outnumbered the Americans. Von Wurmb wrote that the Americans were "finally put to flight." He continued, "But they immediately made a stand again and we drove them away a second time, when they took post beyond Christeen Creek at Cooch's Bridge."
  Concurrently, the 2nd Battalion of British light infantry had been sent to the right across the Christiana Creek, to attempt an attack on the American left and rear. That battalion went too deep and took itself out of the play. Blocked from action from by Purgatory Swamp, the battalion gave up its attempt at flanking and doubled back to assist the British troops engaged with Maxwell's at the Bridge. Had the 2nd Battalion been successful at flanking, Maxwell's men would have been forced to make a hasty retreat. As it was, when the British 2nd arrived back at the bridge, they found Maxwell's corps in retreat. Montresor wrote in his journal that the flight "became so precipitate that great numbers threw down their arms and blankets." Out of ammunition and facing superior numbers, it's likely that Maxwell's corps wisely hightailed it as fast as possible, leaving some arms and blankets behind, but in nowhere near the great numbers that Montresor claims.
  Cooch Casualties Cooch's Bridge, though known to us today as a battle, was in reality a major skirmish. The Americans reported 20 dead and 20 wounded. The British offered similar numbers for the American dead. However, in reporting their own casualties, the British numbers appear dubious. Howe who filed the casualty report was, like so many military leaders, loath to give true figures. The fewer wounded or killed, the better the general looked. While totting up numbers is always an imprecise and ghastly business, Howe held the field here and undoubtedly did know the true figures. Howe reported two officers wounded, three men killed, an 19 more wounded. When one considers that the militia fighting with Maxwell were chosen for their marksmanship and that the Americans ambushed the British -- one may conclude that Howe didn't do well in mathematics at Eton. To add to the suspicion, a female camp follower who deserted from the British shortly after the Battle of Cooch's Bridge reported that the British sent nine wagon loads of wounded to recuperate back at Head of Elk.
  At 2pm Cornwallis quartered at a tavern near the battlefield where the skirmish occurred. The tavern's proprietor, Thomas Cooch, though neither Tory nor Whig, had fled with his family to Pennsylvania. Knyphausen remained at Aikin's where Howe also headquartered in a tavern. Cornwallis sent Count Donop's Hessian brigade to reconnoiter from Iron Hill, the same hill that Washington used a week earlier to watch the British disembark. A column of Hessian Grenadiers and British light infantry was sent east along the King's Highway toward the main American camp at Red Clay Creek. This feint was intended to dupe Washington into believing that the British were advancing his way. Howe, all the while, intended to make a flanking maneuver to Washington's right. With the evening came minor skirmishing near Aikin's Tavern. American General Caesar Rodney had sent some mounted militia from Noxontown to annoy Howe. The militia fired a few shots and then retired back into the darkness. At this point the British took a couple of days to regroup. Still seeking to strengthen their horses and to finalize plans, the hurry-up-and-wait-Howe now waited. While at Aikin's, Howe would also wait for the final supplies being unloaded from the fleet.
  On September 4th, Howe decided it was time to get lean and mean. He evacuated the sick to the remaining ships of the fleet. Tents and dispensable baggage were kept with the invalids. All wagons were brought to the fore for ammo and provisions.
  Rodney and Maxwell reported to Washington that the British fleet was slipping down the Elk river southward out of the Chesapeake Bay. A British prisoner reported that the 150-ship fleet was preparing to go round to Delaware Bay. On the 4th some ships had made it as far as Annapolis
  Washington, hearing that the British ships were sailing down the Chespeake, knew that a land battle was close at hand. He gave an impassioned speech to the troops that recalls Shakespeare's rousing "Henry V" Agincourt speech. Who is either without ambition for the applause of their countrymen and of all posterity as the defenders of their country and the procurers of peace and happiness to unborn millions in the present and future generations? -G Washington
  This day is called the feast of Crispin: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered; -Henry V
  Washington's troops responded to his impassioned speech. A soldier wrote home to his brother, Our troops will stand a very hot engagement. I believe the General is determined to stand it to the last before he'll suffer the enemy to git Philadelphia.
  The weather would be hot, humid, and rainy for the next week. Both armies, particularly the British who were unused to the extreme heat, sweltered.
  Starting on September 5th, Washington spent the next few days trying to discern British plans. He recruited locals with Whig leanings as spies and deceivers. This effort was successful. British reconnaissance teams came back with faulty information planted by these American dissemblers. On the 6th for instance, British General Erskine reported that American General Sullivan was as far north as Chadd's Ford with a large posting of men. Untrue. It's likely that Erskine was misled by patriot-spies.
  Understanding the value of these spies, Washington raised them to the ranks of professionals by paying them. This new spy cadre soon after revealed the hiding place of the Hessian general, Count von Donop. General Maxwell informed Washington that "Several persons have mentioned that there is a Hessian General quartered at one Fishers. This is well worth your attention and may afford a glorious opportunity." While Maxwell chafed to get at von Donop, the mission was deemed too risky.
  It was also on the 5th that Washington wrote once more to General Howe suggesting a VIP prisoner exchange. Washington wanted the American General Lee swapped for British General Prescott. "As I can only attribute your silence upon this matter to your not having received my former letter I am induced to transmit you a duplicate of it, to which I beg leave to request an answer."
  Washington wanted all the veteran officers he could get for the big battle he sensed was coming. Likely it was beneficial that Washington couldn't pull off the trade at this time; when the Americans did get General Lee back for the Battle of Monmouth, he performed so badly that he was reprimanded by Washington on the field of battle and later court-martialed.
  On the 6th, British General Grant arrived with the two battalions that had been left at Elk to facilitate the unloading and departure of the fleet. Sir William Howe was cleft from his brother Admiral Richard Howe and the armada.
  On the night of the 8th, Howe sent a Hessians brigade toward the Americans in hopes of deceiving Washington that an full-scale invasion was underway. Scouts and spies amplified this thought by informing Washington that "the enemy's whole force advance on the road towards Christiana." He ordered the Hessians to get as near as they enemy as possible, while remaining safe from attack.
  At 3 a.m. on the 8th a general alarm was sounded in the American camp, and "all tents struck." The troops remained on alert for the next six hours. General Weedon's brigade was detached to the front to meet the attack. Weedon marched to McKenna's meeting house and stationed his troops on a rise to watch the enemy, by now but a half-mile away encamped at Milltown.
  An aurora borealis danced through the morning sky on the 8th. Befitting such a dazzling celestial phenomenon, Howe would once again had thrown stardust in Washington eyes. The British general had started a flanking maneuver with the main body of his army that took his troops east around Iron Hill and then on the road to Newport. By 7:15 a.m. the vanguard had arrived in Newport. The British army covered the roads leading out of town.
  George Washington would soon recognize, the Hessians had been sent to "amuse" the Americans. Washington had been blinded by Howe.
  Howe could hear sporadic fire in the distance. His Hessians had indeed drawn Washington's attention. Soon after, Washington's officers on patrol reported the true whereabouts of the main British army. Howe had stolen a march from him and now the British controlled Newport.
  Had Howe pressed his advantage and attacked Washington, he had a good chance of fully flanking Washington's army and leaving the Americans in a vulnerable and possibly untenable position at Red Creek. They would have ultimately been trapped between the Scylla that was the British army and the Charybdis that was the British navy which was en route.
  Instead Howe stopped. His morning advance of 10 miles was deemed good enough. Washington had to get a move on. He followed the British lead and ridded the army everything they could "possibly dispence with." His General Orders also command "All Baggage which can be spared" was to be "immediately pack'd up and sent off."
  On the morning of September 9th, the Americans decamped at 2 a.m. They moved form Brindley Road from Marshalltown to the Crooked Billet on Kennett Road ultimately twisting and turning its way up to the road leading to Chadd's Ford. The American's had abandoned Delaware and now moved back into Pennsylvania. Washington who had dug in at three times had been given the slip three times.
  The American troops forded the Brandywine at Pyle's Ford, then proceeded east until arrive in at Chadd's Ford. Now the army was stationed on a very defensible line between Howe and Philadelphia.Washington seeming to bolster his troop strength in any way possible asked General Smallwood to bring in the Maryland militia in "all the force you can get."
  His general orders read for the day read: Head Quarters, Birmingham, September 9, 1777 Intelligence having been received, that the enemy, instead of advancing towards Newport, are turned another course, and appeared to have a design of marching northward -- this rendered it expedient for the army to quit Newport and march northward also; which occasioned its sudden movement this morning. Such of the troops as have not been serve with Rum to day, are a soon as possible to be served with a gill a man....
  Howe finally moved. Knyphausen leaves at 2, but Cornwallis and Grant never move until after sunset. Howe either intended to camouflage his movements or make progress at night when it was cooler and less muggy.
  Knyphausen arrived at Kennett Square at 11p.m. and camped to the east of the town. Cornwallis joined him some time after midnight. He had been delayed due to a late start and because he was hauling artillery over exceedingly muddy roads. Cornwallis was still hindered by weak horses who hadn't recuperated from the dreadful sea trek and by a lack of knowledge of the territory.
  Grant took an alternative road and ended up at Hockessin Meeting, a few miles from Kennett and encamped there.
  On the 10th, Washington set up his headquarters at Benjamin Ring's House, a half mile from Chadd's Ford and near the Baltimore Road. The American alarm guns were sounded that very morning announcing the arrival of the British, but it proved a false alarm. Though the British army had indeed arrived they were not making threatening movements as was believed -- nor was it Howe's style to press an attack so quickly after arriving at a new locale. Rather the British were just repositioning the head of their column, moving to the Anvil Tavern on the Baltimore Road.
  After the alarm passed, Washington went about setting about his defenses along the fords. Manpower shortages precluded Washington from protecting all the fords. Fortunately, some fords were to deep to so as to make them impassable anyway.
  Joseph Galloway, the leader of the Pennsylvania Assembly and most prominent Loyalist in America provided intimate information that would help shape Howe's tactics in the upcoming battle. He provided Howe with information regarding the terrain, roads, and possible cross fording points along the Brandywine. Chester County, where the armies were facing each other, lay in Quaker territory. A majority of these Quakers were pacifists. Yet some of the residents offered their services to the British in other ways. A quaker named Parks for instance divulged very specific route information. Howe set up his headquarters at at a tavern. Here the general diagrammed the battle and rested his troops. Grant's corps was brought up so that three divisions were grouped for battle. Howe strengthened Knyphausen who would was given the 1st and 2nd British Brigades. It was Knyphausen's move to the east that had frightened the Americans it no sounding an alarm. On the eve of the battle, the British spent the night pumping up the economy of Kennett Square,, the first major stop the British had made since Elk.
  Meanwhile, the American spent an anxious night about their campfires. Chaplains gave solace to the soldiers. Reverend Joab Trout gathered a number of troops together and prayed: Soldiers and countrymen, we have met this evening perhaps for the last time. We have shared the toil of the march, the peril of the fight, and the dismay of the retreat alike; we have endured the cold and hunger, and the contumely of the infernal foe. And we have met in the peaceful valley. We have gathered together -- God grant it may not be for the last time. It is a solemn moment. Under the shadow of a pretext, under the sanctity of the name of God, invoking the Redeemer to their aid, do these foreign hirelings lay our people. They may conquer us to-morrow. Might and wrong may prevail and we may be driven form the field -- but the hour of God's own vengeance will come. How dread the punishment. The eternal God fights for you and will triumph. God rest the souls of the fallen. When we meet again, may the shadow of twilight be flung over a peaceful land. God in Heaven grant it.
  Howe finally moved. Knyphausen leaves at 2, but Cornwallis and Grant never move until after sunset. Howe either intended to camouflage his movements or make progress at night when it was cooler and less muggy.
  Knyphausen arrived at Kennett Square at 11p.m. and camped to the east of the town. Cornwallis joined him some time after midnight. He had been delayed due to a late start and because he was hauling artillery over exceedingly muddy roads. Cornwallis was still hindered by weak horses who hadn't recuperated from the dreadful sea trek and by a lack of knowledge of the territory.
  Grant took an alternative road and ended up at Hockessin Meeting, a few miles from Kennett and encamped there.
  On the 10th, Washington set up his headquarters at Benjamin Ring's House, a half mile from Chadd's Ford and near the Baltimore Road. The American alarm guns were sounded that very morning announcing the arrival of the British, but it proved a false alarm. Though the British army had indeed arrived they were not making threatening movements as was believed -- nor was it Howe's style to press an attack so quickly after arriving at a new locale. Rather the British were just repositioning the head of their column, moving to the Anvil Tavern on the Baltimore Road.
  After the alarm passed, Washington went about setting about his defenses along the fords. Manpower shortages precluded Washington from protecting all the fords. Fortunately, some fords were to deep to so as to make them impassable anyway. Several empty supply wagons rolled into Lord Cornwallis's camp at Kennett Square on the 10th of September. Veteran British soldiers certainly knew what these wagons would be used for -- to carry wounded and dying soldiers from the battlefield. After an uneventful spring, several weeks at sea, and 16 days of uncomfortable marching, the first battle of the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777 was at hand.