21. The Battle of the Clouds was aborted due to heavy rains
Following his defeat at Chadd’s Ford, known to history as the Battle of Brandywine Creek, Washington’s Continental Army withdrew to the area near Malvern, Pennsylvania. His army was resupplied from stores in Reading, and he positioned it to protect Philadelphia from Sir William Howe’s British and Hessian army, which remained on Brandywine Creek. When Howe learned of Washington’s whereabouts, he moved to again attack the Americans. Washington placed his troops into defensive positions, meaning to give battle. He sent a small force to harass the British advance, and skirmishing started early in the afternoon of September 16, 1777.
Then it began to rain, a heavy downpour which got worse as the day went on, reinforced with passing thunderstorms. The British march halted. The soldiers attempted to protect themselves from the rain, though their tents had been left behind at Chadd’s Ford. Cartridges carried by the troops on both sides were quickly ruined. The American skirmishers withdrew, though they took 34 Hessian prisoners with them. The storm continued through the night and the following day, rendering the roads impassable. Washington withdrew his troops beyond the Schuylkill River to allow their powder to dry. The Battle of the Clouds (also called the Battle of White Horse tavern) was in effect, canceled due to rain.
