The last major engagement of 1777 between British and American forces, allowing Washington to withdraw to Valley Forge for winter.
Key Facts
- Dates of battle
- December 5–8, 1777
- Distance from Philadelphia
- 16 miles (26 km) north
- American commander
- Gen. George Washington
- British commander
- Gen. Sir William Howe
- Campaign
- Philadelphia Campaign, American Revolutionary War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following his defeat at the Battle of Germantown, Washington encamped the Continental Army north of British-occupied Philadelphia. In early November 1777, he established an entrenched position along the Wissahickon Creek and Sandy Run, monitoring British movements and awaiting developments before winter.
On December 4, 1777, British commander Gen. Sir William Howe led a substantial force out of Philadelphia in a final bid to destroy the Continental Army before winter. Over four days, a series of skirmishes occurred around Whitemarsh Township, but Howe failed to draw Washington into a decisive engagement and withdrew his forces back to Philadelphia.
With the British safely back in Philadelphia, Washington marched the Continental Army to winter quarters at Valley Forge, ending the 1777 campaign season. Howe's failure to neutralize the American forces left Washington free to regroup and rebuild his army through the winter months.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
George Washington.
Side B
1 belligerent
Sir William Howe.