158 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
September 12th ~This day at 1 o’clock we advanced with the artil¬ 
lery as far as Delworth and there formed a park. A part of the army 
encamped about us, head quarters being about a mile from us. One 
part of the army are in possession of Wilmington and another of Chester, 
two places a few miles from us on the Delaware. Our sick and 
wounded were sent to Wilmington to be put on board our ships. Gen¬ 
eral Howe returned thanks to the army for their excellent behaviour. 
A long march of 1G miles, an exceeding hot day, a superior number of 
troops strongly posted in woods and hills, with a number of cannon, 
are obstacles which none but British troops can overcome. 
The Roebuck and a number of our ships arrived at Wilmington in 
the Delaware river some days ago. 
Sent an account thus far to W. Downman. 
Bought a horse for two guineas, two dollars. 
From the 12th to this day, 16th, we have lain at Delworth without 
anything of consequence happening. We have been busy in sending 
off the sick and wounded, and collecting horses to put into the rebel 
cannon and waggons. This morning early we left Delworth and had 
a most miserable march to Goshen, where we lay all night. It rained 
incessantly the whole day and night, and the rebels molested our 
march by firing on us from woods and fences, but they were driven off 
as usual with considerable loss. Washington is retiring as fast as we 
advance. He beats us in running but in nothing else. His whole 
care and attention is to keep out of our reach and our only wish is to 
be able to come up with him. Deserters are hourly coming in to us. 
A rebel general was killed to-day and a good number of men. Our 
loss hitherto has been inconsiderable. 
September 17th .—We again set forward about 10 in the morning 
through dreadful roads. We had advanced about a mile and a half 
down a hill, when word was brought that the artillery were in the 
wrong road. We had to turn about in a narrow road, which took up 
so much time that we could only get about 300 yards from the place 
we had left when it became quite dark and rain came on. We were or¬ 
dered to remain all night. 
September 18th .—This morning at three o’clock we began our 
march towards the Schuylkill in pursuitof Washington; a little popping 
in the front, some rebels killed. Deserters say Mr. Washington is 
making off as fast as he can, and that his army is murmuring and dis¬ 
satisfied. We imagine he is going to Virginia. A French General 1 in 
the rebel service was drowned in passing the Schuylkill. We took a 
number of prisoners, among them a Lieut.-Colonel and a Major. We 
came to Valley Forge in the afternoon and encamped. 
September 19th .—We have taken from the rebels a magazine of 
5,000 barrels of flour, a quantity of rum, 150 horses, a number of wag¬ 
gons, and other stores in abundance. We are now about three miles 
from a ford on the Schuylkill, which is only 18 miles from Philadelphia. 
1 The Marquis de la Fayette and several other French and Polish noblemen were officers in the 
American Army, and present at the battle of Brandywine. 
