Battle of germantown, part 1 revolutionary war journal. Shermans troops burned his property, on their march to atlanta. The battle of germantown general howe what went wrong george washington smallwoods men were not there because they were lost. Defeats at brandywine and paoli enabled william howe s forces to occupy philadelphia unopposed on september 26. A british campaign in the late summer of 1777 had defeated george washingtons american army to capture philadelphia. Washington was then able to mount a surprise attack on a drunk, sleeping and totally unprepared force. Germantown white house independence national historical. Oct 04, 2014 slideshow compiled of three years of reenactment footage. The continental army unsuccessfully attacked the british garrison at germantown located several miles outside of philadelphia, several colonial forts were lost along the delaware river, and washington resisted several aggressive moves by general howe at the battle of white marsh.
Created published boston, new york, houghton, mifflin and company, 1903. George washington, the battle for germantown and the dog who crossed enemy lines tiger, caroline on. At the battle of germantown on october 4, 1777, during the american. In 1793, he took refuge here from the deadly yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia. The bloody battle represented george washingtons attempt to recapture philadelphia. Share with the class and briefly discuss this analysis of washington as a military leader from the life before the presidency on the edsitement resource the american president. He received that opportunity a week later when british general william howe divided his army. 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. The british dispersed their strength to hold the city, reduce colonial forts along the delaware river, and watch the americans, who hovered nearby. Deshlermorris house, also called germantown white house, boasted george washingtons. The following account of him is copied from the tuscaloosa flag of.
He decided to attack and destroy the enemy detachment at germantown using a double envelopment. He was involved twice in germantown s contribution to. The battle of germantown in the american revolution. The following account of him is copied from the tuscaloosa flag of the union, december, 1840. George washington wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
May 16, 2018 twice this house sheltered george washington. British troops withstood the american attack, a surprise raid at dawn that was part of a daring and imaginative plan conceived by george washington. At the battle of germantown on october 4, 1777, during the american revolution, british forces in pennsylvania defeated the american continental army under general george washington 173299. Apr 17, 2012 my brave fellows, you have done all i asked you to do, and more than can be reasonably expected. Washington gave his own general lee and the british a schooling on that day, although the battle was technically a draw. To regain the initiative, washington and his lieutenants plotted a bold strike against the primary british camp at germantown, about. Despite losing a number of battles, george washington is known for his ability to rally his troops and his ability. General george washington was the overall commander of the 11,000 american soldiers. He lost more battles than he won, but he still has a reputation as one of americas strongest leaders.
Slideshow compiled of three years of reenactment footage. George washington and lord cornwallis at germantown. Following defeats at brandywine, paoli, and the british capture of philadelphia on september 26, 1777, george washington attempted to gain the initiative. Washingtons service can be broken into three periods, french and indian war.
George washington was not a great general but a brilliant revolutionary. In his first battle, he and his men were ambushed and forced to surrender fort necessity on the pennsylvania frontier. James mccrory, george washingtons bodyguard american. The battle of germantown george washingtons mount vernon.
Many of these fights, large and small, had a direct impact upon your lives today. To regain the initiative, washington and his lieutenants plotted a bold strike against the primary british camp at germantown, about five miles north of philadelphia. Battle of trenton the structures of mount vernon map. The largest single battle of the american revolution. Washington, a man of principle, honor and discipline, was very successful in the political realm as well. George washington had all of his troops wait at the town. His descriptions of the many battles the slaughter and confusion at concord and lexington, the redcoats charging the continental lines at bunker hill, the painful american setbacks at brandywine and germantown, and hardwon victories at saratoga and by john paul. George washington battles was born in tennessee and lived in alabama and georgia as well. Battle of germantown, united states war of independence, 1777. Battle of monmouth george washington miniseries youtube. Washingtons army unsuccessfully attacked the british garrison at germantown in early october. Other key officers included nathanael greene, john sullivan, and william alexander. A british campaign in the late summer of 1777 had defeated george washington s american army to capture philadelphia. British casualties were estimated to be 71 killed, 450.
The battle took place on october 4, 1777 at germantown, pennsylvania just outside philadelphia. Battles of the american revolution, 1876 learn more. Washington tried to thwart howes plan, but howe outmaneuvered him at brandywine creek and then at germantown. Casualties american casualties were estimated to be 152 killed, 521 wounded, and 438 missingcaptured. Washington s world extent of washington s 1793 mount vernon land holdings land status of the maryland viewshed map. Germantown was a hamlet of stone houses spreading from what is now known as mount airy. Germantowns historic sites use public history and provide leadership to motivate residents in an area challenged by job loss, population change, and institutional inertia. General george washington against majorgeneral sir william howe. Captain joshua hadley fought at brandywine and also germantown. Voice over is texttospeech version of script of the events of that foggy morning on october 4, 1777. George sold the land and moved his family to arkansas. British forces defeated washingtons troops in the battle of brandywine on september 11, 1777.
The battle of germantown was a major engagement in the philadelphia campaign of the. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read valley forge orderly book of general george weedon of the continental army under command of genl. Josiah harmars 6th pennsylvania regiment of the continental line. Complete the chart about major battles of the revolutionary. Washington saw an opportunity to attack the weakened british at germantown. Valley forge orderly book of general george weedon of the. The battle of germantown was a major engagement in the philadelphia campaign of the american revolutionary war. His descriptions of the many battles the slaughter and confusion at concord and lexington, the redcoats charging the continental lines at bunker hill, the painful american setbacks at brandywine and germantown, and hardwon victories at saratoga and by john paul jones over hms serapis at sea are vivid and exciting. The siege of yorktown mount vernon estate map boston, its environs and harbor, with the rebels works raised against that town in 1775 the.
The occupying army quartered several thousand troops in the nearby village of germantown, about 6 miles northwest of the city. The military career of george washington spanned over forty years of service. George washington lost seven notable battles in his career. The battle of germantown took place during the 1777 philadelphia campaign of the american revolution 17751783. In the early fall of 1777, events did not fare well for george washington s army in pennsylvania. Undeterred, washington attacked at germantown on october 4, in the hopes of striking a blow against howes divided force. When washington attacked, the fog made everyone lost in the town and there was no communication. The term hessians refers to the approximately 30,000 german troops hired by the british to help fight during the american revolution. Washington s service can be broken into three periods, french and indian war, american revolutionary war, and the quasiwar with france, with service in three different armed forces british provincial militia, the continental army, and the united states army. His contribution extends far beyond perhaps any other in the history of the united states. State house on the day of the battle of germantown. George washington had been reinforced by maryland and new jersey troops. Death defying spymaster of the american revolution.
At the battle of germantown on october 4, 1777, during the american revolution, british forces in pennsylvania defeated the american continental army. General george washington in the american revolution. A successful tobacco planter, augustine also became involved in several mining ventures and served as justice of the westmoreland county court. This monument is dedicated to the memory of the soldiers of general george washingtons continental army who sacrificed their lives for the revolutionary cause in the battle of germantown, october 4, 1777. Ruthless and fierce, he was just the man washington needed. Ironically, washington s nemesis, british general william howe, occupied this home during the revolutionary war in october 1777. Who could imagine american independence without george washingtons crossing of the delaware river and subsequent. The british were led by general william howe and general. Washingtons world extent of washingtons 1793 mount vernon land holdings land status of the maryland viewshed map.
Battle of germantown george washingtons mount vernon. These winter victories quickly raised the morale of the army, secured washingtons position as commander, and inspired young men to join the army. George washington reached the most success during the revolutionary war, despite losing important battles including the battles of. George washington to major general israel putnam 9 october 1777. Learning of the division, washington determined to engage the british.
Mar 21, 2008 battles of germantown, brandywine and guilford courthouse and was one of washington s life guard at valley forge and served his country faithfully during the war. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. In early october, from his headquarters in skippack montgomery county, general george washington plotted to recapture the capital as quickly as possible. Germantown october 4, 1777 american battlefield trust. Afterwards washington marched his weary army to winter at valley forge. Born february 22, 1732, along popes creek in virginia, george washington was the son of augustine and mary washington. View or download mount vernons map of the battle of trenton.
Valley forge orderly book of general george weedon of the continental army under command of genl. Perceiving the weakening of howes army, and feeling the necessity of speedily striking a blow that should revive the spirits of the americans, it was resolved to attack the british army at germantown. The battle of germantown by preston hammond on prezi. The serious collection and publication of washingtons documentary record began with the pioneer work of jared sparks in the 1830s, life and writings of george washington 12 vols. Germantown, pa, a site on a revolutionary war road trip on.
The continental army of george washington attacked the rear of a british column led by sir henry clinton while leaving monmouth court house now freehold borough, new jersey. George washington, the battle for germantown and the dog who crossed enemy lines. The complicated american plan fell apart in dense fog. William howe and consisted of about12,500 soldiers. A s one of the most famous men in american history, george washington continues to inspire people today. The battles of germantown illustrates how understanding and engaging with the past can benefit communities today. On october 4, 1777, it was a small village on the outskirts of the colonial capital whose surrounding fields and streets witnessed one of the largest battles of the american revolution. It was fought on october 4, 1777 near germantown, pennsylvania.
Unable to prevent this, general george washington moved the 11,000man continental army to a position approximately 30 miles northwest of the city. George washingtons attack upon the british at germantown on october 4, 1777 surprised the british, but ultimately ended in a sharp defeat. George washington and consisted of about 11,000 soldiers. On october 4, 1777, george washington launched an ambitious attack against the british. Battle of germantown simple english wikipedia, the free. Germantown, pa, a site on a revolutionary war road trip on us. Fought less than a month after the british victory at the battle of the brandywine september 11, the battle of germantown took place on. General george washington prepared for howes advance but was defeated at the battle of brandywine, on september 11, 1777.
Washington set his plan into motion on the night of october 3. Today, germantown is a busy neighborhood in philadelphia. State house on the day of the battle of germantown pafa. As general howe had left a number of his soldiers to defend philadelphia, general washington ordered an attack on british forces at germantown. George washington attempted to attack a portion of the british army at germantown. Known well for his military ability, washington was able to shape, train and lead the initially inexperienced continental army to victory over britain in the revolutionary war. An interesting word that means basically an officer with no troops left. The writings of george washington from the original manuscript sources, 17451799 193144 is a 37 volume set edited by john c. The ensuing battle was hard fought but ultimately an american defeat. Howe encamped at germantown, pennsylvania, seven miles northeast of philadelphia, with 9,000 men, while other troops garrisoned the city and moved. In the campaign of 17778, describing the events of the battles of brandywine, warren tavern, germantown, and whitemarsh, and of the camps at.
The following summer, it was a welcome retreat from the heat of the capital city. Cliveden house chew mansion and the revolutionary war battle of germantown. 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 17751783. Following their victory at brandywine on september 11, 1777, british forces under major general william howe captured the colonial capital of philadelphia. George washington reached the most success during the revolutionary war, despite losing important battles including the battles of brandywine, fort necessity, fort washington, georgetown, long island, monongahela and white plains.
Oct 03, 2015 the occupying army quartered several thousand troops in the nearby village of germantown, about 6 miles northwest of the city. George washington, the battle for germantown and the dog who. He had a farm in ringgold, georgia during the civil war. The american continental army against the british and hessian forces. Though the americans were again defeated, european leaders were impressed with general washingtons resolve and the american armys tenacity so soon after its crushing defeat at brandywine. Seeking to turn the tide, washington mounted a counterattack in october but was narrowly defeated at germantown. Continental army under general george washington 173299. Nps photo twice this house sheltered george washington. The germantown white house, home to president washington during the yellow fever epidemic, 1793. Washington hoped to surprise the british and hessian armies in much the same way he had surprised the hessians at the battle of trenton. My brave fellows, you have done all i asked you to do, and more than can be reasonably expected. General george washingtons unsuccessful attempt on 4th october 1777 to retake philadelphia that went far to convince the french and spanish that the. More than 11,000 battles, engagements, and skirmishes comprised the actual fighting in the revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the civil war.
This video explores george washington s crossing of the delaware and the. Overview of history and significance valley forge national. Sir george otto trevelyan, in volume iv of his history of the american revolution, concluded that. The battle of germantown was a battle of the american revolutionary war fought during the philadelphia campaign. George washington was the first president of the united states, commanding general during the american revolution and remains as one of the most influential and famous figures in american history.
736 826 1464 307 1533 1658 765 437 156 1119 1166 335 1312 1648 924 377 1655 1490 434 1117 1664 706 31 1263 897 752 1375 669 798 104 1291 1371 888 1375 258 1353 147 948 1171 485 1464 1160 1161 789 1153