For the past 60 years, the image shown below has puzzled historians. Donate today to help preserve the battlefields where George WashingtonWilliam Howe and thousands of others fought for the country. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states! Need help with homework? British Forces was commanded by Gen. William Howe and consisted of about12,500 Soldiers. The Battle. With victory seemingly in sight, however, the American attack unraveled. Commanders:American: George WashingtonBritish: William Howe, American Casualties: Killed: 152Wounded: 521Captured: 438, British Casualties: Killed: 71Wounded: 448Missing: 14. A heavy morning fog disoriented the American assault columns and led to a friendly fire incident between elements of Major General John Sullivan's right colum… Sullivan wisely bypassed the structure and continued his advance over a mile, driving the British from a series of fenced yards in the town. close to the highway, from which the farm fences, orchards, and inclosures extended back a considerable distance on each side. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. Much like at Trenton, he divided his army so as to attack the British from multiple directions at dawn. Spend the day with us! Visit the Schedule of Events for more information. The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British Army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington. Reinforced from Philadelphia, Howe pursued Washington for nearly eight miles before halting. Military Heritage 6 (February 2005): 46-55. Howe had stationed two British brigades in the village, commanded by General James Grant, … The Battle of Germantown was a major engagement in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War.It was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania, between the British Army led by Sir William Howe, and the American Continental Army, with the 2nd Canadian Regiment, under George Washington.. After defeating the Continental Army at the Battle … The Battle of Germantown was part of the Philadelphia Campaign, which saw Philadelphia captured by the British on September 26. Fought less than a month after the British victory at the Battle of the Brandywine (September 11), the Battle of Germantown took … George Washigton's decision to attack British positions around Philadelphia in the fall of 1777 was a bold one that reflected his inherent confidence and gambler's nature. On the opposite end of the field 1,500 New Jersey and Maryland militiamen arrived too late to participate in any major fighting. 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. Washington’s soldiers were told to put a piece of white paper in their hats so they could tell the difference between friend and foe. The Philadelphia Campaign: Germantown and the Roads to Valley Forge. In the early fall of 1777, events did not fare well for George Washington’s army in Pennsylvania. The Continental Army had suffered defeats trying to protect the city at the Battles of Brandywine and Paoli. The Battle of Germantown took place during the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign of the American Revolution (1775-1783). United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 6401 Germantown Ave - Cliveden. The battle was a decisive victory for the British. The loss was devastating for the Americans and proved to be a decisive victory for the British because it came after … On the night of October 3, four converging American columns began a sixteen-mile march towards Germantown. Visit the Schedule of Events for more information. He decided to attack and destroy the enemy detachment at Germantown using a double envelopment. For two hours a Continental brigade supported by cannons unsuccessfully tried to storm the mansion, suffering heavy losses. Washington’s soldiers were told to put a piece of white paper in their hats so they could tell the difference between friend and foe. General John Sullivan would attack with the main force while General Nathanael Greene attacked on the flank. Around 5:30 in the morning, Sullivan's troops surprised Howe's advanced guard and forced it back towards Germantown in confusion as a dense fog blanketed the battlefield. While the Americans were still searching for their big victory, … The Battle of Germantown In early October, Washington conceived a bold plan of attack on Howe's 9,000 troop garrison stationed in Germantown. Divisions of the American Battlefield Trust: The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Battle of Germantown. Despite the British victory, many Europeans, especially the French, were impressed by the continued determination of the Continental Army. The Battle of Germantown was a major engagement in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War.It was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania, between the British Army led by Sir William Howe, and the American Continental Army, with the 2nd Canadian Regiment, under George Washington.. … Created by Italian artist Xavier della Gatta in 1782, the painting vividly and accurately depicts the 1777 Battle of Germantown, part of the Philadelphia Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Explore Germantown and its historic sites to learn how the American Revolution and the Battle of Germantown affected people in 1777. After taking the American capital, British General Sir William Howe positioned two brigades under General James Grant and a contingent of Hessians troops commanded by General Wilhelm von Kynphausen in Germantown. Washington set his plan into motion on the night of October 3. 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. Greene, delayed on the long march, opened his attack about an hour later and captured part of the British camp in heavy fighting. The morning was foggy, and American coordination broke down. The Battle of Germantown was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought during the Philadelphia Campaign. The militia, under General William Smallwood, would target the British extreme right and rear. 372 Battle of Germantown. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858. Want to preserve George WashingtonWilliam Howe legacy? Washington set his plan into motion on the night of October 3. Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen". Luckily, the darkness at night and the army's weaponry helped them retreat from Germantown. BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. Here the Americans are … The resulting firefight caused both units to break and flee the field. of History. Unfortunately, one of Greene’s brigades, under General Adam Stephen, also became lost in the fog, mistook Wayne’s men for the British, and opened fire. British General William Howe had divided his forces between Philadelphia and nearby Germantown. Thus began the Battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777, that early foggy morning just north of Philadelphia. The Battle of Germantown, was fought on October 4, 1777, between the American army led by George Washington British Army and the British who fought under Sir William Howe.. A variety of activities for the whole family will be available at Cliveden and Historic Germantown sites. The British and Hessian troops had set up camp on the high ground of Germantown with two small brigades camped in the market square for defence. The Battle of Germantown was yet another British victory with staggering consequences for the Continental Army: 700 men were killed, and 400 were captured. My goal was to avoid any signs of modern civilization, I want the viewers to get an uninterrupted glimpse of 1777. They were hoping … The Battle of Germantown. Mount Vernon is owned and maintained in trust for the people of the United States by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, a private, non-profit organization. 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 morning was foggy, and American coordination broke down. It was fought on October 4, 1777 near Germantown, Pennsylvania. The Battle of Germantown was a major engagement in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War. He decided to attack and destroy the enemy detachment at Germantown using a double envelopment. Tell a Friend Print Event Description. Such distractions allowed Howe time to organize a counterattack with fresh troops. Background; British positions Armies - American Forces was commanded by Gen. George Washington and consisted of about 11,000 Soldiers. Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Dept. Generals John Sullivan and Nathanael Greene would strike Howe's left and right center, respectively, with Continental troops, while two militia detachments attacked both flanks. Explore Germantown and its historic sites to learn how the American Revolution and the Battle of Germantown affected people in 1777. A late-comer to this list of folklore heroes was Hans Boyer, the supposed assailant of Gen. James Agnew at the battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. On the far right flank, John Armstrong's Pennsylvanians held a Hessian detachment in place but did little more. Join in the festivities every year on the first Saturday of October. Today, the Revolutionary Germantown Festival keeps the tradition alive, energizing the community with a day of family entertainment and Battle of Germantown reenactments. Help save a crucial 22-acre tract on the battlefield where 14 African American soldiers earned the highest military honor in the land. The British were so shocked to find a large force of American soldiers that some were cut off from the main body; 120 men under British Colonel Musgrave took shelter in the large stone house of Chief Justice Benjamin Chew, known as Cliveden. Following defeats at Brandywine, Paoli, and the British capture of Philadelphia on September 26, 1777, George Washington attempted to gain the initiative. Sullivan’s column was the first to make contact, driving back the British pickets on Mount Airy. Map of the British Colonies in North America 1763-1775 The British force in the village totaled 9,000 men. All Rights Reserved. As a result, the attack failed, and the American troops were forced to withdraw.. The British won this battle thus … The Revolutionary Germantown Festival 2017 will be Saturday October 7. October 3, 2020 - Full and probationary members of the British Brigade and Continental Line are invited to participate in the annual … 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. From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. While the fighting around Cliveden raged on, Sullivan pushed his men towards the British center. HISTORICAL MAP | The Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1777. HOME - HISTORY MAPS - Battle of GERMANTOWN 1777. Battle of Germantown 1777. Germantown’s pride in its Revolutionary past was reinforced by a specious tale involving John D. Rockefeller, who invested millions to recreate an 18th-century town in Williamsburg, Virginia. battle of germantown. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2007. 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). The British suffered more than 500 casualties of their own. Map of the United States: Battle Sites 1689-1945. Although Howe received some intelligence of an impending attack, he did little to prepare in advance. The Americans planned a four pronged attack. Lawrence: The University Press of Kansas, 2003. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1952. 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. Today, the Revolutionary Germantown Festival keeps the tradition alive, energizing the community with a day of family entertainment and Battle of Germantown reenactments. In addition, the militia columns failed to envelop Howe's flanks. The Americans' most serious challenge was at Cliveden. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington's home and legacy. Following the American defeat at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, the British Army captured Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress. Niderost, Eric. The Battle of Germantown is reenacted there on the first Saturday of each October (except this year because of the pandemic). Unfortunately for Washington, darkness and a heavy fog delayed the advance and cost him the element of surprise. General John Sullivan leading troops at the Battle of Brandywine fought prior to Battle of Germantown. 372 Battle of Germantown. The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British Army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington. Only the steadfastness of Greene’s and Wayne’s men and the American artillery prevented a disaster. The year and date that the Battle of Germantown took place on Saturday, October 04, 1777. 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. 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