Colonel Hamilton was also directed to cause the military stores which
had been previously collected to a large amount in Philadelphia, and
the vessels which were lying at the wharves, to be removed up the
Delaware. This duty was executed with so much vigilance that very
little public property fell, with the city, into the hands of the
British general, who entered it on the 26th of September (1777). The
members of Congress separated on the 18th, in the evening, and
reassembled at Lancaster on the 27th of the same month. From thence
they subsequently adjourned to Yorktown, where they remained eight
months, till Philadelphia was evacuated by the British.

From the 25th of August, when the British army landed at the head of
Elk, until the 26th of September, when it entered Philadelphia, the
campaign had been active, and the duties of the American general
uncommonly arduous.

Some English writers bestow high encomiums on Sir William Howe for his
military skill and masterly movements during this period. At Brandywine
especially, Washington is supposed to have been "out-generaled, more
out-generaled than in any action during the war." If all the operations
of this trying period be examined, and the means in possession of both
be considered, the American chief will appear in no respect inferior to
his adversary, or unworthy of the high place assigned to him in the
opinions of his countrymen. With an army decidedly inferior, not only
in numbers, but in every military requisite except courage, in an open
country, he employed his enemy near thirty days in advancing about
sixty miles. In this time he fought one general action, and, though
defeated, was able to reassemble the same undisciplined, unclothed, and
almost unfed army; and, the fifth day afterward, again to offer battle.