The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of Brandywine Creek, is fought between the American army of General George Washington and the British army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777.

The British Army defeats the American Army and forces them to withdraw toward the American capital of Philadelphia.

The engagement occurs near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania during Howe's campaign to take Philadelphia, part of the American Revolutionary War.

More troops fight at Brandywine than any other battle of the American Revolution.

It is also the longest single-day battle of the war, with continuous fighting for eleven hours.

Howe's army departs from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on July 23, 1777, and lands near Elkton, Maryland, in northern Chesapeake Bay.

Marching north, the British Army brushes aside American light forces in a few skirmishes.

Washington offers battle with his army posted behind Brandywine Creek.

While part of his army demonstrates in front of Chadds Ford, Howe takes the bulk of his troops on a long march that crosses the Brandywine beyond Washington's right flank.

Due to poor scouting, the Americans do not detect Howe's column until it reaches a position in rear of their right flank.

Belatedly, three divisions are shifted to block the British flanking force at Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and School, a Quaker meeting house.

After a stiff fight, Howe's wing breaks through the newly formed American right wing that is deployed on several hills.

At this point Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen attacks Chadds Ford and crumples the American left wing.

As Washington's army streams away in retreat, he brings up elements of Nathanael Greene's division, which holds off Howe's column long enough for his army to escape to the northeast.

Polish General Casimir Pulaski defends Washington's rear assisting in his escape.

The defeat and subsequent maneuvers leave Philadelphia vulnerable.

The British capture the city on September 26, beginning an occupation that will last until June 1778.