Narratives of many battles tend to be dull, dry things. Few seem to convey the terror and confusion that any battlefield holds no matter the time period. They also tend to have a sameness about them, with all manoeuvres and troop formations by the book. So it is of great interest when you come across a different type of narrative that is out of the ordinary.

Enclosed is an account of the battle of Brandywine from an anonymous British Light Infantryman, possible from the 17th Regiment's company. As such it gives a worm's eye view of the action, and holds a number of interesting details that normally get left out of such narratives. In keeping with the spirit of the writing, I have not changed spelling, grammar or punctuation.

"....Upon the Troops getting again in motion the advanced guard was composed of the 17th and 42nd Light companies and Capt. Evalts troop of mounted yagers. having advanced less than a mile Capt. Evalt proposed charging a party of dragoons on the road, provided we secured his left flank. -this was assented to, and the two companies quitted the road for this purpose to gain an orchard on the left flank; received a fire from about 200 men in the orchard, which did no execution; companies ran up to the fence and halted, as it was evident tho' the enemy fell back they were well supported. -Lord Cornwalis Aid de camp came to order the advanced guard to halt. -looked back and saw the line nearly formed and presently advancing. -

"Right of the road Guards - 2nd batts. B. Grens. left of the road Batts. of yagers. 2 Batts. of light infantry. 2nd line - Hessian Grens. on the right. -brigade of British on the left. -reserve Brigade of British.-

"As soon as the line approached the advanced guard Lt. Col. Abercromby ordered the 17th light company to form on the right of the battalion, the 42nd, on the left. -As soon as the line came up to Dilworth Church the enemy opened fire from five field pieces; the church yard wall being opposite the 17th light company, the captain determained to get over the fence into the road, and calling to the men to follow ran down the road and lodged the men without loss at the foot of the hill on which the guns were firing. the hedge on the left side of the road much cut with the grape shot.

-by a bend of the hill had a view of part of the enemys line opposite the grenadiers and opened a fire from about half the company on it; no more being able to form on the space; presently joined by the 38th company some of their gallant soldiers wanted to ascend the hill immediately; objected as too imprudent; the 33rd company joined immediately afterwards, and the men of the three companies calling out up the hill; at their cannon, ascended the hill and had a glimpse of the enemys line as far as the eye could reach to the right and left. -some firing might have taken place on the left, but as yet the heavy fire of the musketry was not begun.

-enemys guns too far back on the heights to annoy us, their line advancing on us we were compelled to throw ourselves on our knees and bellies, and keep up a fire from the slope of the hill. -enemy repeatedly attempted to come on, but were always drove back by our fire altho' their General (Lincoln) very much exerted himself At this time a most tremendous fire of musketry opened from both lines.

-Looking back to see how far the grenadier line was off from which alone we could receive immediate support, to my surprize I saw close to me major Stuart of the 43rd whose regt. being at Rhode Island attended the army as a spectaor; recollecting the 43rd grenadier company was the left of their line, we persuaded Major Stuart to run down the hill and prevail on that company to hasten to our support; he did go, but before he could return, to my inexpressible joy, saw Captain Cochrane of the 4th company on my left throw up his cap and cry Victory. -and looking round saw the 43rd company hastening to our relief;

-we dashed forwards passed the five pieces of cannon which the enemy had adbandoned and made some few prisoners, enemy running away from us, with too much speed to be overtaken.-

The men being blown we halted and formed to a fence, and were immediately joined by the 2nd grenadiers to our right His own battalion left away to the left; as soon as the men were fit to go on, out of gratitude to Major Stuart we desired to elect him our chief and ment to have gone on under his command, but before we could move Col. Abercromby galloped to us, and we joined the battalion. -

A british brigade got into action with the enemys reserve, which terminated the battle on the left. -the column on the right as soon as our fire was heard, crossed the river and drove the enemy from their works.-"

Throughout the piece there are a great number of unusual and curious bits of information. Please take note at how often fences are used as stopping points or rallying places, rather than cover. They are a convenient object to direct the men to. The Light Infantry battalion appears to be used in detachments, and reformed when needed. I am fascinated at the unattached officers being around, like Stuart of the 43rd. Also note the confusion within the ranks with the men calling out and the great latitude in orders a Light Infantry captain has.