by Michael C. Harris
Softcover (6.75×9.4 inches). 128 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: Casemate Illustrated
As we’ve come to expect from the Casemate Illustrated series, this new volume continues the excellent mix of text and illustrations. This campaign starts with General George Washington hedging his bets on the destination of the sailing British/Hessian Army. That turned out to be Head of Elk, MD, and a northward march to Philadelphia. Washington moved to intercept and made his stand at Brandywine Creek.
The volume includes the usual timeline, discussion of weaponry and equipment, and an overview of the planning and maneuvers that led to the battle as well as the combat itself. Short bios of key generals and leaders pepper the text.
The booklet contains 79 color photos, mostly re-enactors and modern shots of battlefield locations, 21 black and white illustrations, 15 color illustrations, and 10 color maps (modern and period). The modern map of the battlefield area (p57) shows key roads, fords, elevations, and towns of a roughly seven-mile by 10-mile area. The main battle site in the hills and at the ford would measure four miles by six miles — a nice fit on a 4×6-foot table at a scale of 150 yards to the inch.
What it lacks is an OOB with numbers — you’ll have to ferret the info from the text. For example, a British regiment had a theoretical paper strength of 811 soldiers, but “every regiment was understrength.” (p16) For the Continentals, Gen. Greene’s division had 2,500 men, Wayne’s division 2,000 men, and Sullivan’s 1,800 men (p58), but
Armstrong’s militia division did not include a number (p60) and Stephen’s division of 2,100 men would be mentioned later (p82). Which regiment or unit belonged to which division requires even closer reading. Wargamers always want nicely formatted OOBs and numbers.
I’d also prefer a larger font for my grognard eyes. A few less re-enactor photos might do the trick.
However, the battle and the campaign are well told and this is a a fine addition to the series.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
