Battle of Germantown

Essential Facts

• Date: October 4, 1777.
• Location: The battle took place in and around Germantown, Pennsylvania.
• Participants: United States of America and Great Britain.
• Key American Leaders: George Washington, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, William Smallwood, William Alexander, Anthony Wayne, Thomas Conway, Alexander McDougall, Henry Knox, Timothy Pickering.
• Key British Leaders: William Howe, Charles Cornwallis, Wilhelm von Knyphausen, James Agnew, Edward Matthews, Johann Ewald.
• Who Won: Britain won the Battle of Germantown.
• Part of: Philadelphia Campaign (1777–1778), American Revolutionary War.

Key Details

• After British forces took control of Philadelphia, General William Howe sent most of his army to Germantown.
• General George Washington decided to launch a surprise attack on Germantown, hoping to pin Howe’s Army along the Schuylkill River, where it could be destroyed.
• Washington divided his army into four columns and marched to Germantown on the night of October 3–4, 1777.
• Despite the thick fog that was gathering, the first shots were fired around 6:00 a.m.
• Three of the four American columns took British outposts by surprise and overran them.
• British forces fled into Germantown, and some of them took refuge in the Chew House.
• American forces were close to overwhelming the British camp in Germantown.
• Washington and his officers were concerned about the troops in the Chew House, and escalated the attack on the building.
• This attack, plus the low visibility over the battlefield, created confusion within the American ranks, and some of the troops started to retreat.
• British forces organized counterattacks and were able to push the Americans out of Germantown.
• In the aftermath, Washington and many of his officers were sure they had been on the brink of winning the battle.
• Despite the defeat, the aggressive attack impressed French officials, who agreed to form an alliance with the United States.

Overview

Following the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777), General George Washington and General William Howe engaged in a series of maneuvers in the Chester Valley, northwest of Philadelphia. This led to the Battle of White Horse Tavern (September 16, 1777), a brief engagement that was ended by violent storms. Two days later, on September 18, British forces carried out a raid on an American storehouse at Valley Forge. With British forces threatening Philadelphia, Congress and most of the city’s inhabitants fled.

After White Horse Tavern, Washington sent General Anthony and his troops behind Howe’s Army, hoping he could strike from behind. However, the British learned of this and launched an attack on Wayne’s camp at Paoli (September 21, 1777). The Americans were routed and suffered heavy casualties in what is often referred to as the “Paoli Massacre.” Five days later, British forces marched into Philadelphia uncontested and occupied the city.

While Washington moved his army northwest of Philadelphia to protect his warehouses in the region, Howe moved roughly 9,000 of his men to Germantown, about five miles northwest of the city. After Howe sent troops to attack American defenses on the Delaware River, Washington decided to mount a surprise attack on Germantown, similar to his attack on the Hessian outposts at Trenton (December 26, 1776).

Washington’s bold plan required four columns of American troops to attack British forces simultaneously. General Nathanael Greene would attack Germantown from the north, while General John Sullivan would approach from the northwest, followed by the reserve, under the command of General William Alexander, Lord Stirling. The columns were flanked by militia forces, led by General John Armstrong Jr. and General William Smallwood.

The American approach on the morning of October 4 was slowed by scouts who became lost in the darkness. Despite this, the columns were in position to launch the attack at dawn. However, as the sun rose, a thick fog rose, making it difficult to see.

The first shots were fired around 6:00 a.m., when Sullivan’s advance force encountered British pickets at Mount Airy. Sullivan’s men quickly pushed forward, while Greene, Smallwood, and Armstrong launched their own attacks. Sullivan, Greene, and Smallwood swept the British aside, sending them fleeing back to Germantown. However, as the Americans moved forward, the lines became disorganized in the fog and smoke that hung over the battlefield.

As Sullivan’s column pushed down Germantown Pike into the town, British troops took refuge in the home of Judge Benjamin Chew. From inside, they fired on the Americans as they ran past. In the confusion, Sullivan was unsure of Greene’s position, so he sent General Anthony Wayne to protect his left flank.

Greene’s column smashed into the right of the British line in Germantown. General John Peter Muhlenberg carried out a bayonet attack that sent the British fleeing. Meanwhile, the command of General Adam Stephen became disorganized and drifted toward the Chew House. When British forces started to counterattack. Greene tried to reorganize his men, but some of them thought he had ordered a retreat and started to withdraw.

The Chew House quickly became a distraction for Washington and his officers, who were unsure of what to do about the British troops who were inside. General Henry Knox convinced Washington that they could not leave the enemy in such a strong defensive position in their rear. Washington agreed, and American forces launched a furious artillery bombardment on the house. 

Instead of convincing the British inside to surrender, the escalation of the battle drew the attention of American troops, who moved in its direction. As they moved through the fog and smoke, American troops ran into each other, and there were incidents of friendly fire. More Americans started to retreat in the confusion. This gave the British time to regroup and launch counterattacks against Sullivan, Greene, and Smallwood.

As the British advanced, they pushed the Americans out of Germantown. Although Washington and his officers tried to stop the retreat, it was of no use. By 10:00 a.m., Washington had no choice but to order his army to withdraw. The British pursued them for 9 miles but eventually broke off, allowing the Americans to reach Pennypacker Mills, 20 miles northwest of the Chew House.

Ultimately, Washington may have won the battle if not for the distraction and delay caused by the British troops in the Chew House. Had he pressed forward, he may have destroyed or captured Howe’s Army and then been able to retake Philadelphia. Although none of this happened, Washington’s aggressive maneuver, along with the American victory at Saratoga, convinced French officials to form an alliance with the United States.

Significance

The Battle of Germantown is important to American History because it helped convince France to form an alliance with the United States. General Washington’s bold plan of attack was similar to the plan he used for the Battle of Trenton. Although it was a complicated plan that required four columns of American troops to attack at the same time, it nearly succeeded. However, many of Washington’s inexperienced troops panicked and fled when the battle intensified. Despite the loss, French officials were impressed that Washington had made such an aggressive move less than a month after his defeat at the Battle of Brandywine. This move, along with the American victory at Saratoga, convinced the French to agree to an alliance with the United States, which included military support.

History

Germantown, Pennsylvania

Germantown is about six miles northwest of Philadelphia. It was established in 1683 by German immigrants from the Palatinate Region who were recruited by William Penn to settle in his colony. By the time of the American Revolution, most of the residents of Germantown were artisans and craftsmen. 

• Germantown became a popular place for wealthy members of Philadelphia society to build summer houses, where they could go to take a break from the city.
• By 1777, most of the houses were built from stone and brick and were surrounded by small fields and gardens. Many of them were two stories tall, including the home of Judge Benjamin Chew, which was called “Cliveden.”
• Most of the homes were built along a 2-mile stretch of the main road known as Germantown Pike.

The Roads to Germantown

American forces had to march southwest toward Germantown along two main routes, one on the northern side of the town and one on the south. 

The northern route followed Skippack Pike to the intersection of Bethlehem Pike. Whitemarsh Chuch stood at this intersection, where the road split. Bethlehem Pike continued south to Germantown Pike, while Church Road went southeast to Limekiln Road and Old York Road.

• Germantown Pike ran through Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy to Germantown. This road continued through town and ran on to Philadelphia.
• Limekiln Road and Old York Road entered the town from the northeast.

The southern route was Ridge Road, also called Manatawny Road, and ran along the north bank of the Schuylkill River. It intersected School House Lane, on the south side of Germantown.

From this point, School House Lane ran northeast into Germantown to an intersection where the Germantown Market House stood. Most accounts refer to this location as “Market Square.”

The road continued past Market Square, but the name changed to Mill Street. It ran northeast and intersected Limekiln Road, near Luken’s Mill.

These roads are essential to understanding the American plan of attack and the position of the British defenses during the Battle of Germantown.

• American forces planned to approach Germantown from the northwest via Old York Road, Limekiln Pike, Germantown Pike, and Ridge Road.
• British forces were camped on the southwest side of Germantown, along School House Lane and Mill Street.

AHC Notes

• Judge Chew’s house was on the east side of Germantown Pike.
• General Howe’s headquarters were at the Logan House, which was called “Stenton.” This house was located on the west side of the British camp, and Old York Road was not far behind it, further west.
• Stenton was the home of Dr. George Logan. His father was James Logan, who had been an associate of William Penn.

Howe and Loyalists

Throughout the Philadelphia Campaign, Joseph Galloway, a Loyalist and former member of the Continental Congress, told General William Howe that many Pennsylvanians were also Loyalists and remained loyal to King George III. However, it was not necessarily the case:

• Pennsylvania Quakers were pacifists, and many refused to become involved in either the American or British war effort.
• Many non-Quakers of English descent were more interested in protecting their personal interests and property. If they openly supported Patriots or Loyalists, it was based on who they felt was winning the war.
• German-speaking inhabitants did not care for King George III, who was part of the House of Hanover, which originated from a German province known as the Electorate of Hanover. During their time in America, Hessian mercenaries found that Pennsylvania Germans primarily supported the Patriot Cause.

This misrepresentation of Loyalist strength in Pennsylvania played an important role in Howe’s inability to maintain British control over the colony, despite a string a military victories that allowed him to march into Philadelphia and seize control of the city on September 26, 1777.

• AHC Note — By this time, members of the Second Continental Congress and the Pennsylvania had fled from Philadelphia, as had many of the inhabitants.

Events After the Battle of Brandywine

Following the Battle of Brandywine, Howe’s Army remained at Chadds Ford, while Washington marched to Chester and then to Germantown, where he replenished his troops and received reinforcements.

Some of the American reinforcements came from the Hudson River Valley. This was a dangerous move because General Horatio Gates and the Northern Army were engaged with General John Burgoyne and his army, who were trying to march on Albany, New York.

• AHC Note — Moving troops out of the Hudson River Valley allowed General Henry Clinton to organize his Hudson Highlands Expedition (October 3–22, 1777), which moved into the region and attacked American forts and Patriot towns.

Once his army was strengthened, Washington moved south again, crossing the Schuylkill River at Swede’s Ford, hoping to block Howe from marching into Philadelphia.

On September 16, both armies clashed near White Horse Tavern. British forces engaged a portion of Washington’s Army, quickly gaining the advantage before a strong thunderstorm ended the “Battle of the Clouds.”. According to most accounts, Washington avoided a disastrous defeat that could have destroyed his army.

• Washington ordered his army to withdraw, and he crossed to the north side of the Schuylkill River to obtain dry ammunition and supplies from American storage depots.
• Howe decided to pursue Washington, hoping to destroy his army. 
• At the same time, Washington sent General Anthony Wayne and his troops to shadow Howe’s movements and attack, if possible.

On September 18, the members of the Second Continental Congress fled Philadelphia. Later that day, British forces raided the American storage depot at Valley Forge.

Meanwhile, Howe was aware that Wayne was in the area and decided to take action by sending an expedition to attack his camp, which was near Paoli Tavern. On the night of September 20–21, General Charles Grey led 5,000 men in the attack and overran Wayne’s camp.

• Wayne tried to organize defenses, but they failed to stop the British advance.
• Grey’s men used bayonets and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans, who fled.
• Wayne gathered the survivors and joined Washington’s main camp.
• This battle is known as the “Paoli Massacre.”

In the days that followed, Howe moved his army into the Middle Schuylkill Valley. From this position, he could attack the American storage depot at Reading or march on Philadelphia.

• Washington moved to protect Reading.
• Howe changed direction and marched toward Philadelphia. 
• Instead of moving to block Howe, Washington decided to defend Reading and the remaining supply depots.

British Forces Capture Philadelphia

On September 26, Howe seized control of Philadelphia, successfully achieving one of the primary goals of his campaign. In the past, Howe had seen how quartering troops in New York and Boston had led to violence with inhabitants.

• Howe kept between 3,000 and 4,000 troops in the city, under the command of General Charles Cornwallis.
• He sent 9,000 to Germantown, where he also established his headquarters.
• 3,000 were sent to New Jersey, where they would be in a position to harass American defenses on the Delaware River.

Elizabeth Drinker, a resident of Philadelphia, documented the arrival of the British in her journal, saying, “Well! here are the English in earnest; about 2 or 3000 came in through Second Street without opposition or interruption — no plundering on the one side or the other…Cornwallis came with those troops today — General Howe is not yet come in.”

With Philadelphia under his control, Howe’s next step was to gain control of the Delaware River and reopen the ports so British ships could deliver supplies. To do this, he needed to clear obstacles from the river and eliminate American defenses along the shoreline, which included:

• Fort Mercer, on the New Jersey side.
• Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, near the mouth of the Schuylkill River.
• The Billingsport Redoubt, which was south of Philadelphia, at Billingsport, New Jersey.

 To aid in this effort, he needed the fleet of British ships anchored at Head of Elk, Maryland, that were under the command of his brother, Admiral Richard Howe.

• The fleet left Head of Elk and sailed around the Delmarva Peninsula to Delaware Bay.
• The ships anchored and started to clear the river with the army’s help.

Meanwhile, supplies were running low in the city. Howe knew he would be blamed for any shortages faced by civilians, who would be competing with soldiers for food.

• Daniel Weir, who was in charge of managing the commissary for Howe’s Army, was able to feed the troops with resources seized from farms and fields in the countryside between Head of Elk and the Schuylkill River.
• He arrived in Philadelphia with slightly more provisions than he had when the army had landed at Head of Elk in August.

While these operations were underway, Howe also took steps to defend Philadelphia against an attack from the west.

• General Charles Cornwallis oversaw the construction of defensive works on the west side of the city.
• Howe intended to remain at Germantown until American defenses were cleared from the Delaware River.

British Forces at Germantown

Howe’s Army at Germantown was stretched out for three miles, along the southwest side of School House Lane and Mill Road, facing northwest. 

• Right — General James Grant’s wing made up the right side of the line, and extended northward to a small stream, Wingohocking Creek, about a mile outside of town. His men covered a half-mile of the line.
• Center — The center of the line was near Market Square. General James Agnew was camped close to Market Square, and to his left was General Charles Grey.
• Left — General Wilhelm von Knyphausen’s wing made up the left side and extended southward to the Schuylkill River. His men covered roughly two and a half of the three miles.

Other forces that were important to the outcome of the battle were:

• Two outposts about two miles northwest of the main line, at Mount Airy and Mount Pleasant.
  • Mount Airy was garrisoned by men from Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Musgrave’s 40th Regiment of Foot
  • The Mount Pleasant outpost, led by Major John Maitland, was about 400 yards southeast of the Mount Airy outpost.
  • These outposts were supported by British troops located at the Chew House, which was where Musgrave and the rest of his men were camped.
• British infantry in the woods at Wingohocking Creek, on the north side of town.
• Pickets at Luken’s Mill on Limekiln Road on the west side of town.
• Pickets at the intersection of Bristol Road and Township Line Road, also on the west side.
• The Queen’s Rangers, led by Major James Wemys, were on the far right of the line, west of Germantown, and between Luken’s Mill and Howe’s headquarters.
• Hessian Jaegers were at the intersection of Ridge Road and School House Lane, south of Germantown, along the Wissahickon Creek.

Howe was confident that Washington would not launch a full-scale attack on Germantown, in part because the town was surrounded by terrain that was difficult for an army to move across, including thick woods, hills, and waterways. Further, he was convinced that anyone living in the area was a Loyalist and would alert him to an American attack. Therefore, he did not have his men build defensive works, such as redoubts (earthen forts).

AHC Notes

• On September 12, the day after Brandywine, Howe sent Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell and the 71st Highlanders to Wilmington, Delaware.
• Campbell also had Hessian troops with him as part of the Wilmington Garrison.

Washington Moves to Norristown

On September 28, Washington held a Council of War and discussed launching an attack on Howe’s Army. The council voted against it, suggesting it was best to wait for a better opportunity and to move the army first. Between September 29 and October 2, the army moved down the Schuylkill River and camped north of Norristown, roughly 15 miles northwest of Germantown. 

• Washington had a better understanding of the terrain in and around Germantown than he did of the area around Brandywine Creek.
• His failure to accurately map and scout the fords and crossings along the Brandywine before the Battle of Brandywine allowed Howe to attack him from the rear.
• From this location, Washington believed he could attack Howe at Germantown, trap the British along the Schuylkill River, and destroy Howe’s Army.

AHC Notes

• Washington made his headquarters at the home of Peter Wentz Jr. on October 2.
• The army was encamped on Methacton Hill. This location is known as “Camp Methacton.”
• Colonel Joseph Reed led a party of dragoons out to scout British positions from Chestnut Hill to the Delaware River.
• American patrols blocked roads leading to Philadelphia to prevent Loyalist spies from delivering information to Howe.

British Capture the Billingsport Redoubt

British forces attacked the Billingsport Redoubt on October 1, 1777, and forced the Americans to abandon it.

• The American garrison was led by Colonel William Bradford.
• British forces were led by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Stirling,

Afterward, British ships started cutting through the river defenses, which included a double line of Chevaux de Frise (sharpened, pointed logs) and partially sunken barriers made of wood and metal. At certain points, heavy chains were stretched across the river.

• Stirling and his men went to Chester, Pennsylvania.
• Stirling led the 10th Regiment of Foot and the 42nd Regiment of Foot.
• The 71st Highlanders were also at Chester.

Washington’s Plan of Attack

Washington learned that Howe was sending troops from Philadelphia to the lower Delaware River to seize the forts and remove the obstructions. This created a sense of urgency because he wanted to take action before the river could be cleared of American defenses, and the British could deliver supplies to the city.

On October 2, Washington held a Council of War with his officers, who agreed to move ahead with an attack on Germantown.  He proposed a surprise attack, similar to what he had done at the Battle of Trenton, but on a much larger scale. The plan required careful timing and coordination between four columns of American forces.

• The columns would approach Germantown from the northwest along four roads, two that ran north of town (Old York Road and Limekiln Pike), Germantown Pike, which ran through the center, and Ridge Road, which ran along the Schuylkill River, south of town.
• A diversionary attack would be carried out south of the town. 
• When the British reacted, the three remaining American columns would attack, sweep through the town, and push the British south toward the Schuylkill River.
• The British would be trapped on the banks of the river, where they would be forced to surrender or be destroyed.

Arranged right to left, the four columns were:

1. Far Right — John Armstrong Sr. and the Pennsylvania Militia made up this column. Armstrong and his men were to march down Ridge Road and launch the diversionary attack.
2. Center Right — John Sullivan led this column, which included his division, Anthony Wayne’s division, and Thomas Conway’s brigade. Sullivan was to attack via Germantown Pike. Conway was assigned command of the advance force of this column.
3. Center Left — Nathanael Greene led this column, which included his division, Adam Stephen’s division, with Alexander McDougall’s brigade. Green was to march to Germantown via Limekiln Road and attack Market Square in Germantown from the northwest. McDougall was assigned command of the advance force of this column.
4. Far Left — William Smallwood and David Forman led this column, which included Maryland Militia troops and New Jersey Militia troops. They were given the route furthest north, on the Old York Road, which was a 20-mile march. Upon arrival, they would attack the rear of British forces in Germantown and flush them toward the river. Smallwood held the overall command, and Mordecai Gist was likely in command of the Maryland troops.

The reserve force was led by General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, and included William Maxwell (New Jersey Continentals) and Francis Nash (North Carolina Continentals). They were to follow Sullivan’s column.

• The march to Germantown was planned for the night of October 3, with the attack at dawn on October 4.
• The attack would include approximately 8,000 Continentals and 3,000 militia.
• The men would leave their backpacks and place pieces of white paper on their hats so they could identify each other.
• Each soldier would be given two days’ worth of rations and 40 rounds of ammunition.

All four columns were supposed to reach designated points two miles outside of Germantown by 2:00 a.m., where they would stop and rest for two hours. At 4:00, they were to advance and clear out any British pickets or scouts they found and proceed to Germantown. Armstrong’s diversionary attack was to begin at 5:00, followed quickly by the others.

Communication between the four columns would be critical to the operation, yet difficult. The columns would be spread out across seven miles through the countryside. Casimir Pulaski and his cavalry were given the responsibility of carrying messages between the columns.

Washington’s orders were:

“Pickets on the left of Vanderin’s mill to be taken off by Armstrong: one at Allen’s house on Mount-Airey by Sullivan — One at Lucans Mill by Greene. Each Column to make their disposition so as to attack the pickets in their respective routs, precisely at five O’Clock, with charged bayonets and without firing, and the columns to move to the attack as soon as possible. The Columns to endeavor to get within two miles of the enemy’s pickets on their respective routs by two O’Clock and there halt ‘till four and make the disposition for attacking the pickets at the time above mentioned. The Columns of Continental troops & militia to communicate with each other from time to time by light horse. Proper flanking parties to be kept out from each Column.”

Key Officers

• John Sullivan (1740–1795) — Sullivan led troops in Canada, New York, and Pennsylvania. He fought in many key battles and led American forces against Native American Indians on the frontier of New York and Pennsylvania. He also represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.
• Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) — Greene was an officer in the Continental Army during the war. He was one of George Washington’s most trusted officers and led the Southern Army to a strategic victory in the Southern Campaign, trapping Cornwallis in Yorktown.
• William Smallwood (1732–1792) — Smallwood was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is most famous for his actions at the Battle of Camden, which earned him a promotion to Major General, and his ongoing issues regarding the service of foreign-born officers serving in the Continental Army.
• William Alexander (1726–1783) — Alexander was an officer in the Continental Army during the war. He rose to prominence for his brave defense of the American retreat at the Battle of Long Island and helped expose the Conway Cabal. He referred to himself as the Right Honorable William, Earl of Stirling, or Lord Stirling, because he believed he was the rightful heir to the title.
• Thomas Conway (1735–1800) — Conway was an officer in the Continental Army during the war. From Ireland, he became involved in the “Conway Cabal” and is most famous for his criticism of Washington during the war.
• Adam Stephen (1721–1791) — A Scottish-trained surgeon and veteran of the French and Indian War, Stephen became a prominent Virginia landowner and officer in the Continental Army. Despite early success, he clashed with George Washington and was dismissed from the army in 1777 following a court-martial.
• Anthony Wayne (1745–1796) — Known for his aggressive battlefield tactics, Wayne led troops in various campaigns during the American Revolutionary War. During the Early Republic Era, he led the Legion of the United States against Native American Indians in the Northwest Indian War. He won the Battle of Fallen Timbers, which led to the Treaty of Greenville, giving the U.S. control of the Northwest Territory.

American March to Germantown

The army started to prepare for the 15-mile march to the north end of Germantown around dusk on October 3, 1777, and the first troops started marching around 6:00 p.m.

1. Smallwood’s column departed first and made its way eastward to the Old York Road, where it turned southward and prepared to attack the Queen’s Rangers. During the march, some of the men took the wrong road, and at least one of them was taken as a prisoner by British forces.
2. Greene’s column moved out after Smallwood’s cleared the camp. It followed the same roads as Smallwood’s to Limekiln Road, turned southward, and prepared to attack British forces at Luken’s Mill. McDougall’s troops went first, followed by Greene’s (led by General Peter Muhlenberg), and then Stephen’s. Greene’s guide became lost and took a wrong turn. He had to turn the column around, retrace his steps, and find the right road.
3. Armstrong’s column was near the town of Trappe and followed Ridge Road, moving toward Vanderin’s Mill, to attack a Hessian outpost.
4. Sullivan’s column started leaving the camp around 8:00, moving down Skippack Road toward Germantown. Alexander’s reserves followed.

All four columns were late in arriving at two miles from Germantown by 2:00 a.m. However, they were still in time to push ahead at 4:00 to clear out British pickets and scouting parties. As they completed the march and went through final preparations, a thick fog developed, slowing their advance into Germantown and creating additional complications.

AHC Notes

There are two incidents related to the march that may be nothing more than legend. However, they are part of the lore of the Battle of Germantown.

• Casimir Pulaski Fell Asleep — Decades later, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney said that he was with Washington when they found Pulaski sleeping when he was supposed to be directing the cavalry. Various officers, including Timothy Pickering and Lafayette, objected to the accusations, as did one of Pulaski’s men, Lieutenant Paul Bentalou.
• Howe Knew About the Attack — Hessian officer Johann Ewald recorded in his diary that he received a warning about the attack from a local man. Major John André recorded in his diary that there were rumors that the Americans were going to attack. Other accounts say that British officers interrogated American troops who had been captured during the advance, learned of the attack from them, and passed the information to Howe. Further accounts indicate American deserters informed the British of the attack. Apparently, Howe and his officers remained unconvinced that Washington was about to carry out an attack. Despite this, British forces across the line in Germantown started to prepare for an engagement.

The Battle of Germantown Begins

As Sullivan’s column approached Mount Airy, Sullivan sent Thomas Conway’s brigade ahead to attack the British outpost.

• Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmer and Colonel Josiah Hall and their men were out in front, followed by the rest of Conway’s troops.
• Sullivan’s division was right behind them. With Sullivan in command of the entire column, command of his troops was given to Moses Hazen, who was in front, followed by Anthony Wayne.

The Americans moved through the thick fog with their bayonets fixed. They were joined by some of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons under the command of Captain Allen McLane of Delaware. Around 6:00 a.m., McLane and his mounted troops encountered British pickets and attacked. 

• Two British were killed, along with one of McClane’s horsemen.
• The British fired two cannon shots, which were likely a signal to the rest of the army that an attack was underway.

Conway ordered his men forward, and they overwhelmed the British, who were largely caught off guard. The British fired on the Americans, who, despite orders to conserve ammunition, returned fire.

• The British fled down Germantown Pike toward Mount Pleasant. 
• According to Lieutenant Martin Hunter, the British stopped, regrouped, and charged at Conway’s men at least twice. However, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of American troops and were forced to keep retreating or face being captured or killed.

AHC Note — The British pickets in Mount Airy were near the Allen House, on the present-day grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Germantown.

Sullivan’s Advance

As Sullivan’s column advanced, he realized Greene had not yet joined the battle. To compensate, he sent Wayne and his troops to form the left wing, with Hazen in the center, and Conway on the right.

• Some of the Americans advanced with their bayonets, shouting as they inflicted casualties on the British at Mount Pleasant.
• British troops from Mount Pleasant joined the ones from Mount Airy in the retreat toward Germantown.

AHC Notes

• Sullivan knew Greene had not attacked because he did not hear the sounds of gunfire and fighting to his left.
• Various narratives suggest the Americans shouted “Remember Paoli!” as they used bayonets to attack the British.
• Eyewitness accounts say the Americans shouted slogans such as “Revenge Wayne’s Affair!”

As the British retreated toward Germantown, they set fire to fields. Thick smoke rose into the sky, joining the fog and gunsmoke.

• When American troops reached the edge of town, they encountered fences around small fields and gardens.
• They had to go around or dismantle the fences.
• This slowed the advance, but Sullivan drove all British forces away as his men pushed forward toward the Chew House.

From his position in the rear of Sullivan’s column, Washington became concerned that he only heard the sounds of battle in front of him, and not from the other directions. This indicated to him that the other columns, especially Greene’s, had not launched their attacks.

AHC Notes

• During this portion of the battle, Washington moved close to the front lines several times, to gain a better understanding of what was happening. 
• Each time, his aides urged him to withdraw, to keep him safe from British gunfire.

Sullivan and his men, who had been embarrassed at the Battle of Brandywine, were eager to improve their reputation.

•  In the early phases of the battle, they drove the British back toward Germantown. 
• After the battle, Sullivan wrote: “The plan was evidently good, & the compleat surprise given the Enemy promised a glorious victory. They were routed, pursued, and charged with fury.” 

The fog and smoke continued to hang over the battlefield and thickened. American and British accounts of the battle tell similar stories.

• The fog and smoke made it impossible to see at a long distance.
• The loud sounds of gunfire and cannon fire made it difficult for anyone to hear orders.
• Intense skirmishes took place all over the battlefield.
• There was a significant amount of close-range fighting. Captain Enoch Anderson of Delaware recalled that he fought the British as close as 30 feet.
• British troops took shelter in houses and buildings and fired on the Americans.

Like Sullivan, Wayne was also pushing ahead, eager to make amends for being embarrassed at Paoli. At the front of his column were Colonel Thomas Hartley (1st Pennsylvania Brigade) and Colonel Richard Humpton (2nd Pennsylvania Brigade). They drove through British pickets, across the fields into Germantown, and moved toward the Chew House.

AHC Notes

• Some of the British infantry that Wayne’s men attacked were the same ones who had been involved in the Paoli Massacre. 
• Wayne and his men were unaware of this.
• One of these British soldiers, Lieutenant Martin Hunter of the 52nd Regiment of Foot, recalled, “This was the first time we had ever retreated from the Americans.”

During the advance, Wayne’s horse was shot out from under him, and he suffered minor injuries. However, he continued to lead his men on foot.

By the time Sullivan’s column made it to the Chew House, it had advanced about a mile from Mount Pleasant. It was still another mile to the main British camp southeast of Germantown. 

At this point, British resistance to the American advance increased. General James Grant led British reinforcements to the area around the Chew House, which temporarily slowed the advance.

• Maitland’s fleeing men stopped and tried to form a line with Grant’s.
• They were unable to hold the line and retreated.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Musgrave and most of his men in the 40th Regiment of Foot were camped on the southeast side of the Chew House. As the lead elements of Sullivan’s column swept through, Musgrave led about 100 of his men into the house.

• Within moments, men from Sullivan’s column were streaming by on all sides.
• The British started firing at them from the upper levels of the house.

While Sullivan’s column was pushing forward and winning the battle, Greene, Smallwood, and Armstrong were preparing to attack, but first, General Howe arrived on the battlefield.

AHC Notes

• James Grant (1720–1806)  — Grant was a British officer who led troops in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. He is most well-known for leading a campaign against the Cherokee in 1761, claiming that he could subdue the colonies with only 5,000 soldiers, and for being in command of New Jersey outposts during the American victories at Trenton and Princeton.

Howe Arrives

Soon after the battle started, messengers had rushed to Howe’s headquarters. However, no one could tell him if it was simply a skirmish between scouting parties or if Washington had launched a full-scale attack.

• Howe believed it was nothing more than American scouting parties probing the British defenses around Germantown.
• He rode his horse toward the center of Germantown.
• When he started to encounter Maitland’s men fleeing past him, he yelled at them for fleeing from a “scouting party.”

Suddenly, American artillery fired grapeshot in his direction, which made it clear it was Washington’s Army carrying out a full-scale attack. Howe followed the retreating troops to the rear to start organizing them for battle.

AHC Notes

• When General Howe rode into Germantown, his dog followed him. During the confusion, the dog became lost in the fog and smoke.
• The dog apparently followed the Americans to Pennypacker Mills. The officers were having dinner when the dog came in, wearing a collar that read, “General Howe.”
• Two days later, the dog was sent back, under a flag of truce and a message: “General Washington’s compliments to General Howe. He does himself the pleasure to return him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the Collar appears to belong to General Howe.”

Smallwood’s Advance

Smallwood’s column, which included the Maryland Militia, likely led by Colonel Mordecai Gist, and the New Jersey Militia, led by General David Forman, arrived at Old York Road behind schedule.

• Smallwood put the Maryland men on his right and the New Jersey men on his left.
• The column marched south and encountered a picket that included Major James Weyms and some of the Queen’s Rangers.
• The Rangers fired on the lead elements of Smallwood’s column.
• Some of the Maryland troops fled, but the others engaged in a firefight.

Smallwood’s column had too many men for the pickets to stop, and the Americans pushed through toward the main camp of the Rangers. The Americans overwhelmed the Rangers and flushed them out of the camp.

• Forman’s men were wearing red coats, which created confusion in the fog.
• Some of the other Americans fired on them by mistake.

As the Queen’s Rangers fell back, they were joined by reinforcements with a cannon and formed a line along a fence. They held their ground until they realized they were being attacked by the militia. They launched a counterattack and drove Smallwood’s column back.

• Smallwood failed to achieve his goal, but his men did inflict casualties on the British.

Armstrong’s Advance

Armstrong was slow to reach his attack point as well. By the time he did, which was around 6:00 a.m., the Hessians he was supposed to attack were on alert because they could hear the battle going on north of them at Mount Airy.

• Armstrong encountered British pickets and Hessian patrols and pushed them back toward the main camp.
• The troops in the main did not know how large the American force was, but could hear gunfire moving toward them.

Armstrong attacked the Hessians at Wissahickon Creek and tried to capture the bridge that crossed over it. He needed to do so to reach the junction of Ridge Road and School House Lane, where he could turn left and march northeast into Germantown.

• Armstrong fired on the Hessians with cannons, which forced them to fall back to the south side of the bridge, near Vanderin’s Mill.
• A small group of Americans crossed the bridge.
• Hessian reinforcements arrived, and they held their positions at the mill, which prevented the Americans from reaching School House Lane.
• Neither side was able to advance, and a lengthy exchange of gunfire carried on through the morning.

Although Armstrong succeeded in distracting the enemy troops at Wissahickon Creek, he failed to meet his objective, which was to drive them away and then move northeast into Germantown to attack the rear of the British camp. 

AHC Notes

• Armstrong may not have been aggressive enough in his attack on the bridge.
• He may have overestimated the strength of the enemy troops posted there.

Greene’s Advance

McDougall was at the front of Greene’s column, followed by Muhlenberg and Stephen. After finding Limekiln Road, Green’s column turned south and he formed his troops into a line:

• Right — Stephen, with Colonel Alexander McClanahan on the right and General Charles Scott on the left
• Center — Muhlenberg, with Colonel William Russell on the right and General George Weedon on the left
• Left — McDougall, with his troops in one column.

As they advanced, they encountered British pickets northeast of town, under the command of Colonel Robert Abercromby. This was probably around 6:00 a.m, right after Conway’s troops attacked the British at Mount Airy.

• The pickets were further north than had been expected, which surprised the Americans.
• They were north of Bettton’s Woods, instead of at Luken’s Mill.
• A British sentry fired a warning shot, alerting the camp.

The British troops in the camp also heard the sounds of the battle coming from Mount Airy, about two miles to the northwest.

• They prepared to engage the oncoming Americans.
• Greene’s men encountered fences, which slowed them down.

The Americans emerged from the fog, rushed through the camp, and drove Abercromby’s men back toward Germantown. 

AHC Notes

• It was here that General Stephen issued orders to troops who were not under his command, and then appears to have followed them, leaving his own command behind.
• In the aftermath of the battle, Stephen was accused of being intoxicated and court-martialed.

According to Lieutenant Colonel William Heth, who was with McClanahan, the men “were nearly exhausted” as they pushed toward Luken’s Mill, where they intended to turn southwest onto Mill Street and march into Market Square.

• General James Grant sent British reinforcements toward Luken’s Mill to block Greene’s column.
• They joined Abercromby’s retreating forces that were fleeing from the initial attack.
• Together, they tried to form a line and brace for the American attack.

Greene’s column was hidden by the terrain and the fog. When the Americans emerged, with Russell’s troops in front, they were nearly on top of the British. The Americans lined up along a fence and fired into the British camp at close range.

• The British tried to hold their position and launch a counterattack.
• The Americans climbed over the fence and pushed forward, forcing the British to retreat.
• As the British fled, they were attacked by Weedon’s men.

The British fled toward Germantown, with the Americans close behind. Several times, the British turned to fire on the Americans at close range, but were unable to slow them down.

Despite the success of Green’s initial attack, the units in his column were becoming disorganized in the fog. Some of the men stopped advancing, while others pushed past Luken’s Mill toward Market Square. Through breaks in the fog, Greene could see the British fleeing. Later, he wrote, “…the Fog depriv’d us of the Opportunity of…giving them a Compleat route beyond a Doubt we should have done if the Weather had been Clear…”

In Stephen’s absence, his troops were guided by McClanachan and Scott and started drifting westward, toward the Chew House.

• McClanachan was engaged by British pickets, overwhelmed them, and continued moving toward the Chew House, further separating him from Scott.
• Scott ran into British reinforcements who had been sent by General Grant and quickly routed them.

Scott’s men were taking prisoners when some of Wayne’s men emerged from the fog and attacked the British, who had just surrendered. While the rest of the British were retreating to Germantown, General Stephen reappeared.

Meanwhile, Alexander McDougall advanced so quickly that he moved past Muhlenberg and encountered British troops who were lined up behind a fence.

• McDougall formed his men into a line and advanced on the fence.
• Both sides fired at close range, but the Americans drove the British back.

McDougall continued past Luken’s Mill and crossed a creek, where his men entered a field on the north side of town. Weedon was on McDougall’s right, and together they drove the British southward, across the field, toward Germantown.

• British forces took defensive positions behind fences and buildings.
• They moved artillery batteries into some of the houses to fire on the Americans from hidden positions.

The battle intensified as McDougall’s men pushed forward. Just like Sullivan, less than two miles away, Greene was winning the battle on the north end of Germantown.

AHC Notes

• John Marshall, the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was a soldier in the 15th Virginia Regiment under McClanahan. 
• He recalled “Every thing as yet had succeeded to the utmost expectation of General Washington, and the prospect of victory was extremely flattering…there was much reason to believe…that [the British] would be entirely routed.”

Occupation of the Chew House

Despite low visibility, confusion, and British resistance, the lead elements of Sullivan’s division were near the center of Germantown by 7:00 a.m., about an hour after the first shots had been fired at Mount Airy. 

• Washington, Sullivan, and others did not know that Greene was about two miles away, routing British forces as he moved south toward Germantown. 
• Timothy Pickering wrote, “All this time we could not hear of the left wing’s being engaged, for the smoke and fog prevented our seeing them, and our own fire drowned theirs.”

Sullivan was winning his portion of the battle, and the British had been swept away from Mount Airy to the Chew House. Musgrave and his men had taken refuge inside and were firing on the Americans as they moved past.

• Musgrave had all the first-floor window shutters closed and placed men at every window (first floor and basement) and door, with their bayonets fixed.
• He placed men at the second-floor and attic windows, and on the roof.

As Sullivan’s column swept past the house, Washington followed. Pickering was one of the officers with him, and they could hear the sounds of gunfire ahead of them. 

• Washington was concerned that Sullivan’s troops were using up their ammunition.
• He sent Pickering ahead to deliver orders for the men to only fire if it was necessary.

By this time, Musgrave and his men inside the Chew House had drawn enough attention to themselves that American artillery batteries under the command of Thomas Proctor had been moved around the house and were firing on it. However, they were unable to penetrate the thick stone walls. While this bombardment was taking place, General Alexander’s reserves, led by Maxwell and Nash, surrounded the house.

Debate Over the Chew House

When Pickering returned to Washington, he found him with some of the officers discussing how to handle the situation with the Chew House.

• Some suggested to keep pushing ahead by having General Alexander’s reserves join the fight and follow Sullivan’s column into Germantown. They felt that a small number of troops could be stationed around the house to keep Musgrave and his men from escaping. Pickering and Alexander Hamilton were two who supported this approach.
• General Henry Knox, the artillery commander, argued that they needed to deal with the house first, because it was poor military strategy to “…leave a castle in our rear.” Knox believed it was necessary to send a messenger to the house to request a surrender, which seemed to be the logical decision for Musgrave to make.

Pickering disagreed with Knox, arguing that a small number of troops would be enough to check the British if they left the house. He wanted to leave the house behind and press the attack. However, Knox’s argument did enough to convince Washington to request Musgrave’s surrender.

• Lieutenant Colonel William Smith volunteered to carry the message.
• He approached the house, carrying a white flag, under fire from the British.
• He boldly continued, but as he approached, he was shot in the leg.
• Smith’s wound was mortal, and he died about three weeks later.

While Washington and his officers were debating the situation at the Chew House, Sullivan’s column was driving forward toward School House Lane and Mill Street. In front of them were Knyphausen, Agnew, and Grey.

AHC Notes

• The exchange between Washington, Knox, and the others was witnessed by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Captain Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, and Dr. Benjamin Rush.
• Afterward, Rush was highly critical of the decision and suggested that Washington had allowed Knox, a lower-ranking officer, to coerce him into making a poor decision.
• During the Winter at Valley Forge, Rush became involved in what is known as the “Conway Cabal,” a scheme to have Wasington replaced as commander-in-chief by General Horatio Gates.

Assault on the Chew House

Proctor’s artillery batteries resumed the bombardment of the house, which was still ineffective. However, some of the cannonballs that passed through the windows did damage to the interior.

• The first shot blew through the front door and went out the back.
• The British responded by barricading the doorways.
• The American artillery countered by firing on the upper levels.

The bombardment lasted for at least 30 minutes, when Washington decided to have Maxwell and Nash advance on the house and surround it.

• Maxwell came in from the west side.
• Nash came in from the north side.

As these troops closed in, some of them broke ranks and rushed the house. This attack failed, and the Americans suffered heavy casualties. 

• Colonel Mathias Ogden and the 1st New Jersey led the assault.
• Colonel Elias Dayton and the 3rd New Jersey followed. Dayton recalled that he had his horse shot out from under him when he was “…within about three yards of the corner of the house.”

Seeing this, two men on Washington’s staff, Colonel John Laurens and Thomas-Antoine de Mauduit du Plessis, decided to try to set fire to the house. They were joined by Major John White and Major Edward Sherburne.

• They found some straw, which they intended to pile up against the front door. The British fired on them and drove them back.
• They tried to set fire to the window shutters. White was killed. Sherburne was mortally wounded. Laurens was shot in the shoulder.

Confusion in the American Ranks

Beyond the Chew House, American forces were pushing toward Market Square at the intersection of Germantown Pike and School House Lane, even though many units were confused about where they were on the battlefield and where the enemy was.

• Sullivan’s column (Conway, Hazen, and Wayne) was past the Chew House, moving southeast along Germantown Pike.
• Greene’s column (Stephen, Muhlenberg, and McDougal) was moving southward, as troops streamed past Luken’s Mill.

British forces were fleeing in the face of the advancing Americans, although General Howe was working to establish a defensive line on the southeast of town, at the main British camp..

As the two American columns were advancing through the thick fog and smoke, the commanding officers found it nearly impossible to see what was in front of them, and the sounds of the newly intensified battle around the Chew House added to the confusion.

Just west of the Chew House, elements of Stephen’s unit, led by Colonel McClanachan, drifted too far to the west and ran into the rear of Wayne’s unit. In the darkness caused by the fog and smoke, the Americans became confused and fired on each other.

• The sound of gunfire on his left made Wayne think the British were attacking from the north, so he ordered his men to turn and face that direction.
• At this point, some of Wayne’s men may have started to retreat, thinking they were being attacked from the rear.
• Colonel McClanachan continued to move toward the Chew House.

As the sounds of the bombardment of the Chew House carried over the battlefield, some of Sullivan’s men, who had already passed the house, became unsure of what was happening behind them. They likely believed they were being attacked from the rear.

When Wayne turned northward, he moved more toward the Chew House and away from Hazen’s men, making the center of Sullivan’s column vulnerable to an attack on its left side. Confusion increased throughout the ranks when Hazen’s men saw Wayne’s men moving in a new direction.

• Conway, on Hazen’s right, turned around and moved back toward the Chew House.
• Smaller units from Sullivan’s column followed.

AHC Notes

• At this point, the majority of Greene’s column was still pushing southward to Market Square.
• Some of Wayne’s and Sullivan’s men were retreating.

The Artillery Attack on the Chew House Intensifies

By this time, it was around 8:00 a.m. Portions of Greene’s column and Sullivan’s column came together at the Chew House, where they joined the attack. 

• McClanachan’s artillery joined with Proctor’s artillery in the bombardment of the house.
• McClanachan’s artillery fired on the back side of the house, which turned out to be more vulnerable than the front, and the walls suffered heavy damage.

The Americans were running out of ammunition, which allowed Musgrave and his men to maintain their positions inside the Chew House. During the intense, two-hour battle, roughly 50 Americans were killed and their bodies were strewn about the lawn.

British Counterattacks

With the focus of the battle now on the Chew House, the tide started to turn. By 8:00 a.m., both General Grant and General Knyphausen had stabilized their forces between the north end of Germantown and the Schuylkill River to the south. Roughly 4,000 British and Hessian troops were preparing to advance.

• Grant sent troops north to strengthen the right side of the British line and help the Queen’s Rangers.
• Kyphausen organized his men on the left side of the British line and prepared to make a counterattack. His line extended from the river to near Market Square, where General Grey and General Agnew were located.

Hearing the sounds of the battle to his right (north), Knyphausen sent two British regiments in that direction to reinforce Grant. Then he sent a portion of his troops forward, where they came into contact with American forces that had driven deep into Germantown.

• Agnew marched northwest, engaged Hazen and drove him back, before pushing on toward the Chew House, where he engaged other units from Sullivan’s column.
• Grey marched slightly northwest, where he joined Grant in engaging the left of Greene’s column. Then he turned left toward the Chew House and attacked troops in Wayne’s command, who were still on the battlefield.
• Hessians marched northwest and engaged Conway, southwest of the Chew House. When the Hessians came up behind Agnew, it allowed him to press his attack and be more aggressive.

As Wayne’s men were falling back in the confusion, they collided with men from General Scott’s command. For a second time, Wayne’s men were caught in friendly fire. Wayne recalled, “A large body of troops were Discovered Advancing on our left flank — which being taken for the Enemy we retreated.” As his men fell back, they fired on these “Enemy” troops for about two miles, when they realized it “…was our own people — who were Originally Designed to Attack the Right Wing of the Enemy’s Army.”

• Some of Wayne’s men retreated for 2-3 miles before they realized they were running from American soldiers, not British.
• General Agnew was shot by a civilian sharpshooter and paralyzed as his men advanced. The wound was mortal, and he died soon after being removed from the battlefield.

While all this was happening, General Cornwallis, who had received news of the attack, was marching from Philadelphia toward Germantown with reinforcements.

Greene’s column was continuing toward Market Square. In the chaos, he called for his troops to momentarily pause and fall back so that he could reorganize them and reform his line. However, British forces moving north started to engage the front of his column.

The British attack added to the confusion, and Greene’s orders were misunderstood. Instead of falling back to regroup, many of Muhlenberg’s men started to turn and run, believing they had been ordered to make a full retreat.

• The cause of this full retreat was likely General Stephen, who was separated from his own troops and issuing orders to men in Muhlenberg’s command.
• Most of Stephen’s men were to the west of his position, engaged in the battle around the Chew House.
• Various eyewitness accounts say that he ordered the troops around him to retreat.

Meanwhile, on the left side of Green’s column, led by McDougall, the Americans were still pushing the British toward Germantown. However, the Americans started to run out of ammunition. 

• According to Joseph Plumb Martin, a Connecticut soldier, some of the men started shouting to each other that they had no ammunition left. 
• When the retreating British troops heard this, they stopped, turned around, and attacked.
• British reinforcements came up behind them and joined the attack.
• McDougall’s troops were forced to turn and retreat.

At the front of Greene’s column were Colonel George Mathew and the 9th Virginia. They were so far ahead of the rest of the column that they were in a British camp near Market Square. They overwhelmed the British, captured some of them, and started to ransack the camp.

• This delay allowed British reinforcements to surround them and attack.
• They crushed the Virginians, killing some with bayonets, while capturing approximately 400.
• Mathew was forced to surrender.

British and Hessian forces were also advancing on Armstrong’s and Smallwood’s columns, on the American flanks.

• The Hessians pushed Armstrong back up Ridge Road and pursued them. The terrain was difficult, which slowed them down and allowed Armstrong to withdraw with limited casualties.
• Smallwood’s men, who were on Greene’s left (east), started to fall back when they saw Greene’s men retreating.

As British and Hessian forces advanced northwest out of Germantown, they pushed toward the Chew House. When they arrived, they joined the battle there and used artillery to bombard the remaining American troops on the north and west sides of the house, who broke and fled.

• In this attack, General Nash was hit in the leg by a cannonball that killed his horse and William Maxwell’s aide, Major James Witherspoon.
• Nash lost his right leg and was carried back to the American camp, where he died from his wounds.
• After Nash was hit, Maxwell and the others retreated.
• Nash’s North Carolina Continentals suffered heavy casualties.

Washington Orders the Retreat

Washington and his officers tried to regroup the men, but it was too late. Panic had spread through the lines, and the artillery batteries were withdrawing. Washington moved from the rear and sent Benjamin Tallmadge and his horsemen to block the road to keep the Americans from fleeing, but it was no use.

• Sullivan was trying to restore order and saw Washington moving closer to the oncoming British forces. He begged him to fall back to a safer position, as did others. 
• Washington withdrew, but then came back because he was concerned about the troops. However, he never went further south than the Chew House during the battle.
• Pickering also tried to stop the men from retreating, but also failed.

Around 10:00 a.m., Washington sent messages to his officers and ordered the army to retreat. Upon receiving the order, the columns marched away from Germantown on the same roads they had used to march there overnight. 

• Sullivan, Greene, and Smallwood all marched northwest toward the intersection at Whitemarsh Church.
• Armstrong marched northwest on Ridge Road.

British troops, led by Charles Grey, moved through Germantown and pushed out any remaining American forces. By this time, Cornwallis had arrived, and he joined Howe in a slow pursuit of the retreating Americans.

Rear Guard Action at Whitemarsh Church

As American forces made their way through the intersection and on to Skippack Road, General Stephen had General Wayne organize a rear guard to protect the retreat. This rear guard action ended the Battle of Germantown.

• As Howe approached, Wayne organized his men.
• The Americans fired on the British with artillery and muskets.
• According to Wayne, this caused Howe to “break and Run with the utmost Confusion.”

The exhausted, defeated Americans marched northwest on Skippack Pike and made their way to Pennypacker Mills, 20 miles from the Chew House.

Casualties

The American casualties included 152 killed, over 521 wounded, and more than 400 missing. These casualties included 400 men from the 9th Virginia.

• According to legend, many of the Americans who were killed at Cliveden were buried in the yard.
• General Francis Nash was struck by a cannonball that killed his horse and mortally wounded him. He died from his wounds on October 8, 1777.

British sources initially reported about 387 casualties, but later estimates suggest closer to 540. This included around 70 killed and nearly 400 wounded.

Aftermath

Washington and his officers felt they had let victory slip away. Many of them believed that if some of the men had not panicked, they would have won the battle. Despite the defeat, the morale of the men in Washington’s Army was high.

Howe responded to the bold attack on Germantown by ordering the construction of redoubts along the Schuylkill River and Delaware River. 

• He also prepared to continue attacking American defenses on the Delaware River.
• He ordered the construction of barracks in Philadelphia so he could move the troops from Germantown to the city.

In Europe, the French were impressed with Washington’s bold attack on Germantown. Count de Vergennes, the French Foreign Minister, said, “Nothing has struck me so much as General Washington’s attacking and giving battle to General Howe’s Army. To bring troops, raised within the year, to do this, promises everything.”

Around October 18, Washington learned that the Northern Army, under the command of General Horatio Gates, had defeated General John Burgoyne at Saratoga. Burgoyne was forced to surrender his entire army.

• Washington issued orders for troops from the Northern Army to join him in Pennsylvania.
• He intended to hold the American positions on the Delaware River.
• Most of Washington’s men were from the Middle States and Southern States, while the troops from the Northern Army were from the New England States.
• The arrival of the New Englanders created tension within Washington’s ranks

However, Washington’s attack at Germantown and Burgoyne’s Surrender convinced France to agree to recognize the United States as a sovereign nation. The Franco-American Alliance was not only political and economic in nature, but also military, and France pledged support for the American war effort.

Appendix

William Heth’s Eyewitness Account

On October 12, 1777, Lieutenant Colonel William Heth wrote the following letter to Colonel John Lamb. Heth was one of the Virginia troops in Colonel Alexander McClanachan’s Brigade.

Before this reaches you, the news of our late action at German Town, no doubt will have come to hand. It was a grand enterprize, an inimitable plan, which nothing but its God-like author could equal. Had the execution of it been equal to its formation, it must have been attended with the most happy success. The following are the outlines of the orders, and the assault, which had nearly completed the total ruin of the British army. In fact, we had gained a victory, had we known it.

On Friday evening the 3d…the whole army marched from their encampment (about 11 miles from the enemys), disposed of in such a manner as to march by several ranks, so as to arrive at the enemys picquets by 2 o’clock — there wait till the hour of 3, and then to advance with charged bayonets upon their front, flank and rear, but from short marches and frequent halts it was near 6 before the first volley of small arms were heard, when Genls. Green and Stephen’s divisions, who were to oppose the enemy’s right, were then, from some mismanagement, only forming at more than a mile’s distance. However, our troops who made the attack were successful. They drove the enemy from field to field and through part of German Town.

In the mean time our wing, by another piece of bad conduct, attempted to march in line of battle, till that order was found impracticable, which from the great number of post and rail fences, thickets and in short every thing that could obstruct our march, threw us frequently into the greatest disorder, and as the heavy fire before us urged us on to a dog trot, we were nearly exhausted before we came to the first field of action, when unfortunately a strong stone house, in which the enemy had taken post, drew the attention of ten times the number that would have been sufficient to have kept them snug, and from which we received considerable damage. And after we had brought some artillery to play upon opposite parts of the house, each party took [the] other for the enemy. About this time, an opinion prevailed among some general officers that the house was occupied by our own men, when part of our troops were accordingly ordered off. The heavy smoke, added to a thick fog, was of vast injury to us. It undoubtedly increased the fear of some to fancy themselves flanked and surrounded, which, like an electrical shock, seized some thousands, who fled in confusion, without the appearance of an enemy.

What makes this inglorious retreat more grating is that we now know the enemy had orders to retreat and rendevouz at Chester, and that upwards of 2000 Hessians had actually crossed the Schuylkill for that purpose; that the Torys were in the utmost distress and moveing out of the city; that our friends confined in the New-Gaol made it ring with shouts of joy; that we passed, in pursuing them, upwards of twenty pieces of cannon, their tents standing filled with that choicest baggage. In fine, everything was as we could wish when the above flight took place.

Tho we gave away a complete victory, we have learned this valuable truth: [that we are able] to beat them by vigorous exertion, and that we are far superior [in] point of swiftness. We are in high spirits. Every action [gives] our troops fresh vigor and a greater opinion of their own strength. Another bout or two must make their [the British] situation very disagreeable.

Washington’s Army

The organization of Washington’s Army prior to the Battle of Germantown.

John Sullivan’s Column

Sullivan’s column consisted of 3,700 troops in two divisions and an attached brigade. Washington rode with Sullivan.

• Sullivan’s Division, under the command of Moses Hazen.
  • Colonel John Stone’s Brigade.
    • 2nd, 4th, and 6th Maryland Regiments.
    • German Regiment.
    • Hazen’s French Canadians.
  • Hazen’s Brigade, under the command of Colonel Thomas Price.
  • William Smallwood’s Brigade — detached as one of the four columns.
• Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s Division.
  • Wayne was in command of the division due to the absence of Benjamin Lincoln.
  • Colonel Thomas Hartley’s Brigade.
    • 1st, 2nd, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments.
    • Hartley’s Additional Continental Regiment.
  • Richard Humpton’s Brigade.
    • 4th, 5th, and 8th Pennsylvania Regiments.
• Brigadier General Thomas Conway’s Brigade (attached to Sullivan’s Column).
  • 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th Pennsylvania Regiments.
  • Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment.

Nathanael Greene’s Column

Green’s column consisted of 4,500  troops in two divisions and an attached brigade.

• Green’s Division, under the command of Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg.
  • Muhlenberg’s Brigade, under the command of Colonel William Russell.
    • 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th Virginia Regiments.
  • Brigadier General George Weedon’s Brigade.
    • 2nd, 6th, 10th, and 14th Virginia Regiments.
    • Pennsylvania State Regiment.
• Major General Adam Stephen’s Division.
  • Brigadier General Charles Scott’s Brigade.
    • 4th, 8th, and 12th Virginia Regiments.
    • Grayson’s Additional Continental Regiments.
    • Patton’s Additional Continental Regiments.
  • Colonel Alexander McClanachan’s Brigade.
    • McClanachan was in command because Brigadier General William Woodford was recovering from wounds received at Brandywine.
    • 3rd, 7th, 11th, and 15th Virginia Regiments.
• Brigadier General Alexander McDougall’s Brigade (attached to Green’s Column).
  • Recently arrived from the Hudson Highlands.
  • No experience in battle.
  • 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th Connecticut Regiments.

Washington’s Reserve Corps

Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, was in command of the reserve, which consisted of two brigades.

• Brigadier General William Maxwell’s Brigade.
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th New Jersey Regiments.
• Brigadier General Francis Nash’s Brigade.
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th North Carolina Regiments.

Dragoons Brigade

After Brandywine, Washington placed the dragoon regiments under the command of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski. There were four regiments, led by:

• Colonel Theodorick Bland.
• Colonel Elisha Sheldon.
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis Byrd.
• Lieutenant Colonel Anthony White.

Congress authorized four Dragoon Regiments on March 1, 1777. Each regiment was organized to include up to six companies, with a Captain, Lieutenant, Cornet, and 41 men. The regiments were never full, and usually had around 150 men in total.

Artillery Brigade

Brigadier General Henry Knox led three regiments. During battles, the batteries were dispersed throughout the army. The assignments for the Battle of Germantown are unknown.

Militia

There were three contingents of militia with Washington’s Army:

• Major General John Armstrong Sr. — Pennsylvania Militia.
  • Detached as one of the four main columns.
• Brigadier General William Smallwood — Maryland Militia.
  • Part of Sullivan’s Division.
  • Detached as one of the four main columns.
• Brigadier General David Forman — Delaware Militia.
  • Part of Smallwood’s column.

Bibliography and Suggested Reading

• André, John, and Cornelis De Witt. Major André’s Journal, 1968.
• Carrington, Henry B. Battles of the American Revolution: Battle Maps and Charts of the American Revolution. 1967.
• Commager, Henry Steele, and Morris, Richard B. The Spirit of ‘Seventy-Six. 2002.
• Drury, Bob, and Clavin, Tom. Valley Forge. 2018.
• Fremont-Barnes, Gregory, and Ryerson, Richard A. The Encyclopedia of the American Revolutionary War, Volume 4. 2006.
• Harris, Michael C. Germantown: A Military History of the Battle for Philadelphia, October 4, 1777. 2020.
• Reed, John F. Campaign to Valley Forge: July 1, 1777–December 19, 1777. 1965.
• Selesky, Harold E., Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, Second Edition.
• Taffe, Stephen R. The Philadelphia Campaign 1777–1778. 2003.
• Ward, Christopher. The War of the Revolution. 2012.