There were formidable obstructions in the
Delaware River be1ow
Philadelphia, placed there by the
Americans, and also two forts and a redoubt that commanded the stream.
The British fleet was in
Delaware Bay, Sept. 25, 1777, but could not reach
Philadelphia before these obstructions were removed.
General Howe prepared to assist his brother in removing these obstructions, and sent strong detachments from his army to occupy the shores of the
Delaware be1ow
Philadelphia, which the
Americans still held.
Perceiving the weakening of
Howe's 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.
Washington had been reinforced by
Maryland and
New Jersey troops.
His army moved in four columns during the night of Oct. 3, the divisions of
Sullivan and
Wayne, flanked by
General Conway's brigade on the right, moving by way of
Chestnut Hill, while
Armstrong, with
Pennsylvania militia, made a circuit to gain the left and rear of the enemy.
The divisions of
Greene and Stephen, flanked by
McDougall's brigade (two-thirds of the whole army), moved on a circuitous route to attack the front of the
British right wing, while the
Maryland and New Jersey militia, under
Smallwood and
Forman, marched to fall upon the rear of that wing.
Lord Stirling, with the brigades of
Nash and
Maxwell,
 |
|
Map of battle. |
formed the reserve.
Howe's force stretched across the country from
Germantown, with a battalion of light infantry and
[
66]
Simcoe's
Queen's Rangers (American loyalists) in the front.
In advance of the left wing were other light infantry, to support pickets on
Mount Airy, and the
 |
|
Chew's House. |
extreme left was guarded by Hessian yagers (riflemen). Near the large stone mansion of
Chief-Justice Chew (see illustration), at the head of the village, was a strong regiment under
Colonel Musgrave.
Washington's army, moving stealthily, tried to reach
Chestnut Hill before the dawn (Oct. 4), but failed.
It was near sunrise when they emerged from the woods on that eminence.
The whole country was enveloped in a thick fog. The
British were surprised.
The troops of
Wayne and
Sullivan fell, unexpectedly and with heavy force, upon the
British infantry in front, and they were hurled back upon their main line in confusion by a storm of grape-shot.
This cannonade awakened Cornwallis, who was sleeping soundly in
Philadelphia, unconscious of danger near.
Howe, too, nearer the army, was aroused from slumber, and arrived near the scene of conflict to meet his flying battalions.
Then he hastened to his camp, to prepare his troops for action.
Musgrave sent a part of his regiment to support the fugitives, and, with six companies, took refuge in
Chew's strong dwelling.
He barricaded the doors and lower windows, and made it a castle.
From its upper windows he poured such a volley of bullets upon
Woodford's pursuing brigade that their march was checked.
The fire of the American small-arms upon the building was ineffectual.
Finally
Maxwell's artillerists brought cannon to bear upon the house, but its strong walls resisted the heavy, round shot.
Then an attempt was made to set fire to the mansion.
This check in the pursuit brought back
Wayne's division, leaving
Sullivan's flank uncovered.
This event, and the failure of
Greene to attack at the time ordered, disconcerted
Washington's plans.
Greene's troops had fallen into confusion in the fog, as they traversed the broken country, but they soon smote the
British right with force.
The failure of the other troops to co-operate with them by turning the
British left caused
Greene to fail, and the golden opportunity to strike a crushing blow had passed.
In the fog that still prevailed, parties of
Americans attacked each other on the field; and it was afterwards ascertained that, while the assault on Chew's house was in progress, the whole British army were preparing to fly across the
Schuylkill, and rendezvous at
Chester.
At that moment of panic
General Grey observed that his flanks were secure, and
Knyphausen marched with his whole force to assist the beleaguered garrison and the contending regiments in the village.
Then a short and severe battle occurred in the heart of
Germantown.
The
Americans could not discern the number of their assailants in the confusing mist, when suddenly the cry of a trooper, “We are surrounded!”
produced a panic, and the patriots retreated in great confusion.
The struggle lasted about three hours. The
Americans lost about 600 killed, wounded, and missing; the
British about 800.
Washington fell back to his encampment on
Skippack Creek.
General Nash,. while covering the retreat with his brigade, was mortally wounded.
