From the perspective of a member of the Continentals, in the southern battalion:
Saturday dawned sunny, with the expectation of a warm day. The Continentals were formed into three battalions: the lights, northern and southern battalions. Support- ing the Continentals was 3 artillery pieces and perhaps one of the largest collection of Continental cavalry, approximately 23 horses. Additionally, not only was it the largest number, but within their troop was perhaps the most noticeable “Dane”, a grey Percheron of about 22 hands tall from the South Carolina detachment of the 3rd Light Dragoons.
The battalions were organized, sized and drilled to prepare for the afternoon battle. After drill, most of the members were able to take in the good assortment of Sutlers in Sutlers Row and get reacquainted and caught up on stories. The Augusta Militia arrived in the midday, having marched about 4-5 miles to the field and found a nice shaded area to set up their camp.
The battle on Saturday began with the southern battal- ion in the advance, the lights/rifles protecting the flank and the northern battalion holding a stone wall. The British opened the engagement, driving our forward po- sitions back then soon began cresting the hill and form- ing their line of battle. The southern battalion held for as long as it could, supported by frequent cavalry charges and a heated engagement by the rifles.
However, soon the British brought their weight against us, and the southern battalion began a fighting with- draw behind the wall. As the southern battalion was reforming, the rifles and lights held the woods while the northern battalion held the wall supported by the 3 guns of the artillery. Soon though, we were pushed from the field due to the high attrition rate (in the shade none the less) of our men.
Saturday’s evening meal around the field kitchen was great, meeting and greeting folks we haven’t seen in awhile. As night fell, so did the temperatures and it was great sleeping weather, especially for us who campaigned it and slept under the stars (and a very bright moon).
Sunday dawned with clouds and the anticipated arrival
of rain, which soon did. The battalions held formation,
to determine losses and reorganize if necessary. Final bits
of shopping was conducting with the Sutlers as we in the
campaign camp began moving our kit to the (wagons) to
prepare for battle and to keep most of it dry. The morn-
ing tactical was held and from the camp, sounded like and
appeared to be a good engagement.
Sunday’s battle had the British advancing on the stone wall in the center of the field, held by the out three bat- talions and the rifles in the woods. It was a grand site for us to see the British line that stretched across the whole field, supported by 4 pieces of artillery and 3-4 cavalry.
As the British lights engaged our lights and rifles, both cavalry sections charged and the clang of sabers were heard across the field. The British maintained steady pressure as the wall held, giving heavy volleys in an attempt to hold the line. The rifles and lights did their duty, but soon were forces from the woods and the British assault breached the wall and forced our line to retire. The battalions withdrew under pressure, suffering heavy causalities and soon the field belong to the British.
All in all, a great event and I believe everyone I saw had a great time as well. My hat off and a resounding HU- ZAH for the reenactment organizers, the folks from the Brandywine State Park, and Todd Post.