On This Date October 4,1777- The Battle of Germantown

October 4, 1777 – Battle of Germantown: Gen George Washington’s troops attack and are
defeated by the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania. In early October, Washington conceived
a bold plan of attack on Howe’s 9,000 troop garrison stationed in Germantown. It called for the
simultaneous advance of four different units of troops — moving by night. At dawn, the four
columns were to converge not far from General Howe’s headquarters and catch the British by
surprise. The morning started well for the Americans who had the British retreating. But
Washington’s plan went astray when one of his four columns lost its bearings in a dense fog and
thick smoke. Other columns failed to coordinate effectively. The Battle was an American defeat
but it served to boost morale and self-confidence. They believed the defeat was the result of
bad luck, not poor tactics. The Americans suffered 152 losses, 521 wounded, and over 400
captured. The British casualties numbered 537 plus 14 captured.