The effectives, including militia, did not exceed eleven thousand.
Morgan's regiment of riflemen having been detached to the northern army, a corps of light infantry was formed for the occasion, the command of which was given to General Maxwell.

This corps was advanced to Iron Hill, about three miles in front of White Clay creek.

The cavalry, consisting of four regiments, amounting to about nine hundred men, including persons of every description, were employed principally on the lines.
[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis attacks Maxwell's corps, and compels them to retreat.] One division of the British army, commanded by Sir William Howe in person, had taken post at Elkton, with its van advanced to Gray's Hill.

General Knyphausen, with a second division, had crossed the ferry and encamped at Cecil Court House.

He was directed to march up on the eastern side of the river, and to join Sir William Howe seven or eight miles south of Christiana.