Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. 6 (of 8): The United States of North America, Part I
History
Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. 6 (of 8): The United States of North America, Part I
America -- Discovery and exploration; America -- History; United States -- History
Washington moved from his quarters on the evening of October 3d.
Sullivan commanded the troops that were to attack the enemy in front,
and was followed by the reserve under Stirling, which Washington
accompanied. Sullivan arrived at Chestnut Hill on the morning of the
4th at sunrise, and halted two hours to allow Greene to gain his
ground, that the attacks might be made at the same time. Captain Allen
McLane's company and a portion of Conway's brigade were then ordered
to advance. They drove the guard at Mount Airy back on the light
infantry, and held them in check while Sullivan formed his line.
Wayne's division was on the east of the road, Sullivan's on the west.
The whole under Sullivan then moved forward, driving the light infantry
before them. A thick fog enveloped everything, and the men could not
see forty yards in front of them. But Wayne's men dashed on, calling
to each other to remember Paoli and crying for vengeance. The light
infantry were reinforced by the 40th Regiment under Musgrave. Just
then Howe rode up, calling out: "For shame, light infantry! I never
saw you retreat before." But he found the attack was general, and rode
back to the main line. Down the main street and past Chew's house
Sullivan and Wayne pursued the flying troops. But here the rout of
the British was checked by Agnew, who hastened forward with a portion
of the left wing. As the reserve passed Chew's house they were fired
upon by six companies of the 40th that had taken refuge there with
their commander Musgrave. Stirling endeavored to dislodge them, but
the effort was futile. Lieutenant-Colonel John Laurens and Major Louis
Fleury daringly attempted to fire the house, but were unsuccessful.
While this was going on, Greene made his attack on the right wing. His
march had taken half an hour longer than anticipated, while he still
met the enemy sooner than planned, as their first battalion of light
infantry had been moved forward the night before on the Lime Kiln
road. Greene attempted to advance in line of battle, but his line was
thrown into confusion. He drove a portion of the troops back to the
market-house, but when he encountered Grant he was obliged to retire,
and a part of his command was captured. Woodford's brigade wandered so
far from Greene's right as to reach the rear of Chew's house. It was
then directly behind Wayne's division, and when the brigade fired on
the house Wayne's men retired, as they supposed the enemy were in their
rear. This uncovered Sullivan's flank, and he too was obliged to fall
back. The British pursued until Whitemarsh was reached, where Wayne
checked them with a battery posted on the hill, near the church. The
Americans lost nearly eleven hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners;
the British, five hundred and twenty-one. The American General Nash, of
North Carolina, and the British General Agnew were mortally wounded.
While the Americans were defeated in their object, the moral results of
the battle were in their favor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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