u/dsg158

A relatively unknown site within the Philadelphia campaign. After the Battle of Brandywine and Paoli, the British moved its way along the south side of the Schuylkill River while the Continental army positioned itself on the north side of the river. Washington was convinced that the British were on its way to Reading, Pennsylvania, where there were military stores. He kept the American army positioned between the British and Reading. The British army reached a town that is now called Phoenixville before turning around and taking Philadelphia. After learning that the British had turned back towards philadelphia, Washington stopped his army and set up camp to regroup. He stopped his camp in an area between Pottstown and Perkiomenville called Pottsgrove. They would stay there for about a week with Washington using the Henry Antes house as headquarters.

Anthony Wayne's division was still making its way back to meet up with the main army after the battle of Paoli. They would eventually link up with the main army at Pennypacker Mills, which is in Perkiomenville. It was at Pennypacker Mills that Washington would hold a council of war to plan the attack on Germantown.

The Henry Antes house was built in 1736. It's a fantastic example of early colonial German architecture.

After capturing Philadelphia on Sept. 26th, British General Howe would leave a detachment of 3000 soldiers in Germantown. They were to cover the main bulk of his army as they moved into the city. Washington learned of this division and planned a surprise attack against this smaller force.

The attack would happen at dawn on Oct. 4th. A heavy fog blanketed the area. American forces were split into two columns. One led by John Sullivan and the other led by arguably the great leader in American history, Nathanael Greene (the last photo). First, American forces were able to repel British pickets on Mount Airy. The British were so shocked to find such a large force that some were cut off from the main body; 120 of them took shelter in a large stone house called Cliveden. That fortified position would cause a headache for the Americans for the remainder of the battle. A series of assaults against the position by the Americans would be repulsed with heavy casualties.

Sullivan's forces, running out of ammunition, retreated from the area. A division under Anthony Wayne became separated and lost in the fog. Greene's column was moving forward to support. In the fog, a group of Greene's men confused Wayne's division as British and opened fire. Wayne's men returned fire. The resulting firefight caused both units to flee the field.

With Sullivan retreating, the British were able to outflank Greene, causing them to retreat also. After a full day of battle, the Americans were unable to make any significant gains, only diverting the attention of the British forces for the day.

With the help of the American artillery and oncoming darkness, the whole of the American forces were able to retreat.

Edit: I forgot to add that I really enjoyed the presentation of this battle in Ken Burns' American Revolution. I know that documentary has some mixed reviews but the animated battle maps along with the reenactments are top notch.

He probably didn't actually say "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" but it makes for a good story.