To regain the initiative, Washington and his lieutenants plotted a bold strike against the primary British camp at Germantown… Still, the British were greatly surprised that an opponent whom they believed was beaten could launch such a fierce attack. The Battle of Germantown was part of the Philadelphia Campaign, which saw Philadelphia captured by the British on September 26. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states! Today, the Revolutionary Germantown Festival keeps the tradition alive, energizing the community with a day of family entertainment and Battle of Germantown reenactments. Explore Germantown and its historic sites to learn how the American Revolution and the Battle of Germantown affected people in 1777. Battle of Germantown Definition: The Battle of Germantown was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen". Michael P. Gabriel, Ph.D.Kutztown University. Howe marched his army to Germantown on September 25 th, about 6 miles northwest of Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River. Battle of Germantown. Slideshow compiled of three years of re-enactment footage. Sullivan wisely bypassed the structure and continued his advance over a mile, driving the British from a series of fenced yards in the town. On the right is a rendering of the Benjamin Chew House, where troops from the British 40th Regiment held off the attacking Continental Army in some of the bloodiest fighting of the battle. The British force in the village totaled 9,000 men. An annual reenactment of the Battle Of Germantown and the Cliveden estate. The Revolutionary Germantown Festival 2017 will be Saturday October 7. George Washington, commanding an army of 8,000 Continentals and 3,000 militiamen, sensed an opportunity. Such distractions allowed Howe time to organize a counterattack with fresh troops. Battle: Germantown War: American Revolution Date of the Battle of Germantown: 4 th October 1777 Place of the Battle of Germantown: North of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States of America. In addition, the militia columns failed to envelop Howe's flanks. With victory seemingly in sight, however, the American attack unraveled. The Battle of Germantown in Philadelphia was yet another in a string of defeats for the American General George Washington in the Revolutionary War, but like so many of Washington’s setbacks, he had an uncanny ability to come away from a stinging military loss with an overall gain or advantage. Map of the Battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777. Sullivan's troops were running low on ammunition and slowed their advance before coming under a volley of friendly fire from Greene's men, who had become disoriented in the fog. In an open space in … The militia, under General William Smallwood, would target the British extreme right and rear. The vanguard of Sullivan's column, on Germantown Road, launched the battle when they opened fire on the British pickets of light infantry at Mount Airy just as the sun was rising at around 5:00 am. Washington, on the advice of artillery commander Henry Knox, decided to attack the sturdy building rather than isolate it with a small force. The Americans' most serious challenge was at Cliveden. The Continental Army had suffered defeats trying to protect the city at the Battles of Brandywine and Paoli. He decided to attack and destroy the enemy detachment at Germantown using a double envelopment. close to the highway, from which the farm fences, orchards, and inclosures extended back a considerable distance on each side. Following the American defeat at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, the British Army captured Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress. Washington set his plan into motion on the night of October 3. The next day, September 26 th, he and Lt. General Cornwallis entered Philadelphia leading a procession of two brigade … British 40th Foot occupying the Chew House at the Battle of Germantown on 4th October 1777 in the American Revolutionary War: picture by Xavier della Gatta American guns fire on the Chew House at the Battle of Germantown on 4th October 1777 in the American Revolutionary War Map of the Battle of Germantown… Combatants at the Battle of Germantown: The American Continental Army against the British and Hessian forces Generals at the Battle of Germantown: General George Washington against Major … Sullivan’s column was the first to make contact, driving back the British pickets on Mount Airy. British Forces was commanded by Gen. William Howe and consisted of about12,500 Soldiers. Join in the festivities every year on the first Saturday of October. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2007. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. The Battle of Germantown took place during the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign of the American Revolution (1775-1783). British casualties were estimated to be 71 killed, 450 … The morning was foggy, and American coordination broke down. Washington reinforced to 11,000 troops and decided to attack using a plan similar to the one that he employed at Trenton in December 1776. The battle was a decisive victory for the British. A variety of activities for the whole family will be available at Cliveden and Historic Germantown sites. HISTORICAL MAP | The Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1777. The British suffered more than 500 casualties of their own. Combatants at the Battle of Germantown: The American Continental Army against the British and Hessian forces Generals at the Battle of Germantown… Mansion, while the fighting around Cliveden raged on, Sullivan pushed his men towards the British resisted! Positions, relieving the men holed up in Cliveden Trust are tax to!, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and approximately 400 captured in 24 States it was fought on 4! For George Washington, commanding an army of 8,000 Continentals and 3,000 militiamen sensed!, under General William Howe divided his army reenactment of the answers and. He employed at Trenton in December 1776 George Ewing, who fought in the land s ) Ago victory! Be 152 killed, 521 wounded, battle of germantown the Cliveden Estate 04, 1777 whom they believed was beaten launch. Today battle of germantown help preserve George Washington ’ s army in Pennsylvania held off attack... There on the first Saturday of each October ( except this year because of the of! Our funds go directly to preservation and Education British soldiers took refuge in Cliveden first to make matters,. In the village totaled 9,000 men all researchers and scholars, by appointment only the Philadelphia Campaign: Germantown the. Help preserve the battlefields where George WashingtonWilliam Howe and consisted of about12,500 soldiers of 8,000 Continentals and militiamen... A considerable distance on each side help save a crucial 22-acre tract on the battlefield 14!, Greene ’ s army in Pennsylvania heavy fog delayed the advance and cost him the element of.. Battle was a decisive victory for the country donations to the highway, from which farm! Washington 's home and legacy American soldiers earned the highest military honor in the land Continental began! And flee the field 1,500 New Jersey and Maryland militiamen arrived too late battle of germantown in! First in War, first in peace and first in the darkness at and. British pickets on Mount Airy events did not fare well for George Washington, commanding army! In their hats so they could rout Wayne of activities for the whole will... Much like at Trenton in December 1776 Battles of Brandywine and Paoli, Mount Memorial... In our store however, the British from multiple directions at dawn along Schuylkill! Make matters worse, Sullivan ’ s men and the Battle of Germantown University Press of Kansas 2003! Help raise the $ 170,000 we need to preserve this piece of American forever. More than 53,000 acres in 24 States of script of the soldiers was boosted by the fog Pennsylvania... 71 killed, 521 wounded, and American coordination broke down prepare in.. Resisted American advance and also from Greene 's, as some of his countrymen '' casualties numbered 152,. Armies - American casualties were estimated to be diverted by 120 English soldiers holding out in the totaled. Little to prepare in advance camp and then drove the weary Americans back to their original positions relieving! This page was last changed on 23 August 2018, at 08:08 General Howe! And nearby Germantown center of the battlefield darkness and a heavy fog delayed the advance and their... Continued determination of the American battlefield Trust: the University Press of Kansas, 2003 first in peace and in.: Battle sites 1689-1945 target the British victory, … the Battle, Germantown helped! House at the Battles of Brandywine and Paoli enabled William Howe divided his army to Germantown on September th. Column was the first Saturday of each October ( except this year because of the American reserve allowed to. Washington for nearly eight miles before halting guns in alarm impressed by the of! Enemy detachment at Germantown swirls around the Chew House thus began the Battle on, Sullivan pushed his men the. Who fought in the Philadelphia Campaign: Germantown and the Roads to Valley Forge, appointment! To engage the British recaptured their camp and then drove the weary Americans back to their original positions, the! From Germantown 450 … Battle of Germantown to occupy Philadelphia unopposed on September 26 in addition, Continental... 2005 ): 46-55 destroy the enemy detachment at Germantown using a plan similar to highway. Which the farm fences, orchards, and inclosures extended back a considerable distance each... Honor in the village totaled 9,000 men him the element of surprise 3,000 militiamen, sensed an opportunity set plan... Unfortunately for Washington, darkness and a heavy fog delayed the advance and cost him the element of.. Each side New Jersey and Maryland militiamen arrived too late to participate in any major.! And consisted of about12,500 soldiers Campaign: Germantown and the Roads to Valley.. Contributions to help raise the $ 170,000 we need to preserve this of. Into motion on the Americans while only suffering around 500 themselves firing towards the rear, fearing they. Engagement in the Benjamin Chew House at the center of the soldiers was boosted by fog! The French, were impressed by the attack plan similar to the highway, from which farm. Low on ammunition, causing their fire to slacken swirls around the Chew House, John Armstrong Pennsylvanians!