Significance of the Battle of Germantown

On October 4, 1777, a key battle in the American Revolution occurred at Germantown, Pennsylvania. General George Washington attacked the British garrison located there. He hoped to use surprise to his advantage and attack at night. He had divided his troops into four columns. However, because of poor communication and a lack of coordination, their combined attack did not occur until after dawn. The British won this battle which meant that they were to hold onto Philadelphia throughout the winter of 1777-1778. This was the same winter where Washington and his men camped under extreme hardship at Valley Forge. While the battle was a defeat for the Continental Army, it served an important purpose. Europeans took notice of an American Army that had put up an extremely tough fight despite a lack of training and recent defeats. This led to alliances with France and others lending credibility to the American cause.

Causes of the American Revolution