Though a tactical defeat, the battle showed American resilience and helped persuade France to increase aid to the Continental cause.
Key Facts
- Date
- October 4, 1777
- British garrison in Philadelphia
- 3,000 troops
- Flanking militia columns
- 3,000 militia total
- British troops at Chew House
- ~120 men of the 40th Foot
- American winter camp
- Valley Forge
- Campaign context
- Part of the Philadelphia Campaign, 1777
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After defeating the Continental Army at Brandywine and Paoli, British General Howe seized Philadelphia on September 26, 1777, splitting his force between the city and an encampment at Germantown. Washington identified this division as an opportunity to strike and destroy the weakened British contingent, hoping to replicate his surprise victory at Trenton.
On October 4, 1777, Washington's four converging columns advanced on Germantown in heavy fog. Sullivan's column routed the British pickets, but the assault stalled when American reserves were committed to futile attacks on the fortified Chew House. Fog-induced confusion caused Wayne's and Greene's divisions to fire on each other, triggering a general American retreat despite Greene having initially pushed back the British right.
Though the Americans were defeated, the battle's boldness impressed France, which was already encouraged by the concurrent American victory at Saratoga, and France moved toward greater material support for the Revolution. Howe, rather than pursuing Washington aggressively, focused on clearing Delaware River defenses. Washington withdrew to Valley Forge, where his army wintered and undertook extensive retraining.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
George Washington, Nathanael Greene, John Sullivan, Anthony Wayne.
Side B
1 belligerent
Sir William Howe, Wilhelm von Knyphausen.