[snippy_about_it]

That very same day, October 4, 1777, General Washington force-marched his troops 25 miles back to where they had started the night before, again without food or sleep. At least seventy-five Americans were killed at Cliveden. The British lost only three. In the overall Battle of Germantown American losses were over 1100, while the British suffered over 500.



Yet, the Battle of Germantown was an American victory of sorts. The British allowed Washington to escape and even to spend the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, where he regrouped and brought in Baron Wilhelm von Steuben and his Prussians from Germany for support. France admired the American plan that failed at Germantown. They were also pleased with the English defeat at Saratoga, New York, several days later.


Early American Reenactment Photo

These two battles helped bring the French into the Revolution on America's side. General Washington himself later gained immortal fame. In retrospect, the Battle of Germantown may have been the end of his rough beginning and the beginning of the end of British power in America.


The Chew House today

[snippy_about_it]

'We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.'

-- General Nathanael Greene

[U S Army EOD]

The Battle of Germantown is a classic battle that is taught in military tactics as a gross violation of the nine principles of war. The main one being violated is "simplicity". This would have been a difficult battle plan to pull off even with wheeled vehicles and radio communication.