Battle of Brandywine Creek (ETW Battle)

Battle of Brandywine Creek (ETW Battle)
Battle of Brandywine
Game:	Empire: Total War
Part of:	American Revoution
Date:	9/11/1777
Location:	Near Chadds Ford, PA and the Brandywine River
Defending Forces:	George Washington
Attacking Forces:	William Howe
Rogues:	-
Defending Strength:	14,600
Attacking Strength:	15,500
Historical Results:	Decisive British Victory; occupation of Philadelphia
Historical Casualties:	300 killed 1,000 wounded or captured 93 killed 494 wounded or missing

Overview

After landing from his transport ships in the American Coast, Major General Sir William Howe led the British troops eastwards, with the intent of capturing Philadelphia.

In preparation, American General George Washington readied most of his units to defend from this frontal assualt around the narrow crossing of Chad's ford on the Brandywine. The Creek flows through the countryside of Pennsylvania, enveloped by sheer cliffs and heavily wooded hills on both sides. Knowing that much of the fast-flowing creek could not be crossed, Washington was confident in holding his position.

However, more detailed surveillance of the terrain would suggest that alternative routes could turn the battle in favor of the British.

Detailed Analysis

During the American Revolutionary War, the British sent an army under Major-General Sir William Howe to take Philadelphia from the Revolutionaries. In order to counter this attack, General George Washington positioned his army on the high ground right next to Chadds Ford, a passage across the Brandywine River. There, the two armies met on September 11, 1777. However, Howe's army managed to bypass the American defenses by crossing the river via a ford a few miles north. Historically, this flanking maneuvre caught the Americans off-guard and the following battle resulted in a clear British victory which allowed the capture of Philadelphia.

In the game, the player starts out as the British near the Brandywine Creek with the American army deploying on the other side of the river. The British army consists of one unit of General's Bodyguards, one unit of Grenadiers, one unit of Highlander Infantry, two units of guards, two units of Line Infantry, three units of Hessian Infantry, one unit of Light Dragoons, two units of 6 lber Horse Artillery, two units of Hussars and one unit of Light Infantry. The American artillery is situated on a hill on the riverbank and controls the whole area. Chadds Ford lies almost directly in front of the British army but is heavily defended by the majority of the American forces. To the north there lies another ford which is only guarded by a few units of infantry lying in ambush.

The player can either attack one of the fords with the bulk of his army or he can divide his forces and attack both passages simultaneously. Since the main ford is guarded by the main part of the American army, it would be adviseable to focus on the second passage. However, since the American artillery tends to stay on the high ground near Chadds Ford, a few units of cavalry could stay behind and wait until the cannons are unprotected.