who secured important wins for the british at new york and brandywine
Battle of Brandywine Howe's army departed from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on July 23, 1777, and landed near Elkton, Maryland, in northern Chesapeake Bay.[6] Marching north, the British Army brushed aside American light forces in a few skirmishes. Washington offered battle with his army posted behind Brandywine Creek. While part of his army demonstrated in front of Chadds Ford, Howe took the bulk of his troops on a long march that crossed the Brandywine beyond Washington's right flank. Due to poor scouting, the Americans did not detect Howe's column until it reached a position in rear of their right flank. Belatedly, three divisions were shifted to block the British flanking force at Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and School, a Quaker meeting house.