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.
Comments
Hey Martin,
You must hail from down in that area because I think you are suffering from a bit of geo-bias? You say, The Battle of Germantown “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.” I have to take a bit of issue with this & admit to a bit of geo-bias myself.
I live in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, where in the summer of 1777 citzen solders from here to Boston CT to ME NY to VA all converged @ places called Saratoga, Fts George Anne Ticonderoga in upper NY state to stop the combined British, German Canadian pro-British American and Alied Indian forces under British General John Burgoyne, who with 1000’s of troops & train, set out from Canada intent on taking “the Gibraltar of the North” Fort Ticonderoga from the Americans, then linking up with Gen Howe & invading Albany, NY Therby resting control of the Hudson River from the Americans, opening up a supply line for the British all the way to Canada & cutting off the New Engalnd Colonies from the rest of the of the rebellion. Howe would then go after Washington, leaving Burgoyne to lay waste to New England all the way to Boston. Teach those disloyal pugs a thing or two about British might hey what? Great plan in theory.
British General John “Gentleman Jonnie” Burgoyne had it all wrong from the get go. reliance and codoneing of Savagery by Indians against civilians. Not really knowing the terrain. Laguage barriares between importent officers, Not enough transport. Reliance on pro-British Americans that never materialised, oh yeah & those troops that stood in his way They got the call that their hearth & homes were about to be invaded so they were ready to fight to a man, it didn’t always go their way, retreat in the face of supierior force is not a dishonorable act. But by the time Gentleman Jonny finnaly formed up @ a place called Freeman’s farm near Saratoga most of his grand dream had still a chance to come true. But His Vanity allowed him to throw his forces into a battle he had no knowlege of the enmeies diposition, nor numbers and Long riflers were there that took out many of his best officers. Though He kept posetion of the battle field, his loses in men & material were ireplacible, while the rebels were constantly being resupplied His dreams of glory & conquest were fast becomeing a nightmare that everyone could see but him. Death disease disertion, Howe never had any intention on comming to the Hudson. Under cover of darkness what was left of his army tried to retreat and make it back to Ticonderoga, but got as far as Saratoga where, out of supplies hope with daily desertions @ an amasing number, Gentleman Jonnie cashed in his chips & surrendered to Gen Horatio Gates October 17 1777.
When word of the victory reached the American envoys in France they proceeded to the royal palace and this one battle caused France to declared war on Great Britan & side with the Colonies
I agree that the Battle of Germantown was of less significance in the war than the Battle of Saratoga. It is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War, nor Germantown. It was our victory there that convinced France to help us.
I also agree that a little proof reading is a good thing. Not necessarily for spelling in this case, but for proper grammar and capitals. This “@” does not take the place of this “at” in proper communication. Writing conventions exist to ease communication. Do not be so quick to abandon them for your own convenience.
Dang it! That was suppose to be not instead of nor. Let’s call it a typo! LOL!
I live in Melrose, near both the Battle of Bennington and the Battle of Saratoga. Knickerbocker’s 14th Albany county Militia came from here. I have walked both Saratoga and Bennington, as well as driven the routes between them.
Germantown is one of two difficult to understand battles: Germantown and Oriskany. In both cases Americans fought a hard battle but did not prevail. Yet the Americans did not fall apart, as Howe and others expected. No doubt Saratoga was the most significant of the three – by far – but Germantown occured shortly after Brandywine. After Brandywine, Washington’s army should have fallen apart. It did not; it stayed in the field and attacked at Germantown. Oriskany is more subtle, and needs to be compared with Bradock at the Monongahila to be be understood. Perhaps the need to boost Germantown foreshadow’s the Conway Cabal and the Battle of Camden. But the resiliance after Brandywine that led to Germantown did have a psycological impact on Europe – although surley not the impact the decisive win at Saratoga. The battles of 1777 showed that in the face of an overwhelming British effort, Americans could win but not be decisevly beaten. Not a bad way to win a war….