 As Cadwalader 's men began to flee , the American guns opened fire onto the British , who were preparing to attack , and the guns were able to hold them off for several minutes . Cadwalader was able to get one company to fire a volley but it fled immediately afterwards . At this point , Washington arrived with the Virginia Continentals and Edward Hand 's riflemen . Washington ordered the riflemen and the Virginians to take up a position on the right hand side of the hill and then Washington quickly rode over to Cadwalader 's fleeing men . Washington shouted , " Parade with us my brave fellows ! There is but a handful of the enemy and we shall have them directly ! " . Cadwalader 's men formed into battle formation at Washington 's direction . When Daniel Hitchcock 's New England Continentals arrived , Washington sent them to the right , where he had put the riflemen and the Virginians . 
