Werner, S.W. “Battle of Brandywine in which the Rebels were Defeated, September the 11th 1777 by the Army under the Command of General Sr. Willm. Howe”

After sketches by S. W. Werner.  “Battle of Brandywine in which the Rebels were Defeated, September the 11th 1777 by the Army under the Command of General Sr. Willm. Howe.” 

London: William Faden, April 13, 1778.  23 ¼ X 18 1/8 (neat lines).  23 ¾ x 19 7/8 (paper).  Engraving.  Original outline hand color.  With watermark of Strasburg Lily.  With horizontal fold as originally issued.  Two small stains along right hand bottom margin edge.  Map has been professionally conserved.  Very good to excellent condition.  Rare.  Ref: Snyder, City of Independence, #271; Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 126.  A/A 

One of William Faden’s rare and important series of Revolutionary War battle maps.  During the Revolution, the British public, government and military had a great desire for accurate maps of the events from across the Atlantic.  The most important publisher of such maps was William Faden, who had access to many of the original drawings sent by soldiers and surveyors from the Americas.  These provided then, and provide now, the most accurate and contemporary look at the battles, events and locations of War.

The Battle of Brandywine was the largest single day engagement of the American Revolution which comprised almost 30,000 American, British and Hessian soldiers  Determined to prevent the British from capturing Philadelphia, George Washington decided to take up positions along the Brandywine Creek south of the city.  The British General Howe, having landed his men of 15,500 near Elkton, Maryland in August of 1777, marched north. 

The battle began on September 11, 1777 as Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen attacked Washington’s front lines at Chadds Ford, while Howe’s forces crossed the Brandywine upstream to outflank the Continentals.  A late attempt to reinforce the American right flank was unsuccessful which resulted in Washington’s men being over-run.  Meanwhile, the Hessians continued their attack on the main American line near the Quaker meeting house which eventually collapsed.  Washington then executed an orderly withdraw north to Chester which helped preserve the bulk of Washington’s army.  With the way clear, the British captured Philadelphia, but the city offered little strategic importance for the British. 

This map is based on sketches drawn on the spot by an officer of the Hessian Artillery.  The topography is presented in exquisite detail which was a major factor in the battle.  There are two keys in the map that identify the movements of both Howe’s and Knyphausen’s forces.  A most wonderful Revolutionary War document.