The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

APPENDIX.] BATTLE OF THE BRANDYWTINE. 459
" Great Valley Road, Eleven o'clock, A. M.
" DEAR GENERAL,
"A large body of the enemy, from every account five thousand,
with sixteen or eighteen field-pieces, marched along this road just
now. This road leads to Taylor's Ferry and Jeffrey's Ferry, on
the Brandywine, and to the Great Valley, at the Sign of the Ship,
on the Lancaster Road to Philadelphia. There is also a road from
the Brandywine to Chester by Dilworth Town. We are close in their
rear with about seventy men. Captain Simpson lay in ambush with
twenty men, and gave them three rounds within a small distance,
in which two of his men were wounded, one mortally. I believe
General Howe is with this party, as Joseph Galloway is here
known by the inhabitants, with whom he spoke, and told them that
General Howe was with him. Yours,
" JAMES ROSS, Lieutenant-Colonel."
This intelligence was in the main correct, and General Washington immediately ordered General Sullivan to cross the Brandywine
and attack this division of the British army, while he should himself cross at Chad's Ford, and commence a general attack at that
place. It was at the same time supposed, however, that the column,
which had been seen on- the Lancaster Road, would attempt to
cross at some of the fords below the foirk. While preparations
were making to execute the last order from the Commander-inchief, General Sullivan wrote to him the following note.'B Brenton's Ford, 11 September.
" DEAR GENERAL,
" Since I sent you the message by Major Moore, I saw Major
Spear of the militia, who came this morning from a tavern called
Martin's, at the fork of the Brandywine. He came from thence to
Welch's Tavern, and heard nothing of the enemy about the fork
of the Brandywine, and is confident they are not in that quarter;
so that Colonel Hazen's information must be wrong. I have sent
to that quarter, to know whether there is any foundation for the report, and shall give your Excellency the earliest information.
"'I am, &c.
" JOHN SULLIVAN."
This note caused the order for crossing the Brandywine to be
suspended, and it had a most important effect on the issue of the
action. The next intelligence was from Colonel Bland, who was
reconnoitring with a party of light horse.