 However , Washington was running behind schedule as he had planned to attack and capture the British outposts before dawn and capture the garrison shortly afterward . By the time dawn broke he was still two miles from the town . Washington sent 350 men under the command of Hugh Mercer to destroy the bridge over Stony Creek in order to delay Cornwallis 's army when he found out that Washington had escaped . Shortly before 8 : 00 AM , Washington wheeled the rest of the army to the right down the unused road . First in the column went General John Sullivan 's division consisting of Arthur St. Clair 's and Isaac Sherman 's brigades . Following them were John Cadwalader 's brigade and then Daniel Hitchcock 's . 
