A battle, however, was not to be avoided.

The opinion of the public, and of congress, demanded it.

The loss of Philadelphia, without an attempt to preserve it, would have excited discontents which, in the United States, might be productive of serious mischief; and action, though attended with defeat, provided the loss be not too great, must improve an army in which, not only the military talents, but even the courage, of officers, some of them of high rank, remained to be ascertained.
Among the wounded was the Marquis de la Fayette, and Brigadier General Woodford.
The battle of Brandywine was not considered as decisive by congress, the General, or the army.

The opinion was carefully cherished that the British had gained only the ground; and that their loss was still more considerable than had been sustained by the Americans.

Congress appeared determined to risk another battle for the metropolis of America.