Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Germantown
The Revolution in the Wissahickon
| — | 1777 | — |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
1. Battle of Germantown Marker
To retake recently occupied Philadelphia, American Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington, ordered a surprise four-prong attack on the British forces encamped in Germantown. Assigned the defense of the Wissahickon Valley, German mercenary troops, collectively called Hessians, erected two miles of fortifications. Washington’s orders for the Wissahickon attack were to “get upon the Enemy’s left and Rear” while “every Officer and Soldier to have a piece of White paper in their Hatt” for identification. According to General Armstrong, for three hours the two combatant forces continually “cannonaded from the heights on each side of the Wissihickon, whilst the Riflemen on opposite sides acted on lower ground” until the American troops retreated in an orderly fashion.
The American assault within the Wissahickon consisted of primarily Pennsylvania Militia commanded by their State General John Armstrong. He reported, “I thought we had a Victory, but to my great disappointment, soon found our army were gone an hour or two before, & we the last on the ground.”
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this
this page online
Location. 40° 1.765′ N, 75° 11.462′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Wissahickon Valley Park. It can be reached from Rittenhousetown Lane, on the left when traveling north. Marker is accessible from the parking area for Rittenhouse Town off Lincoln Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 Lincoln Dr, Philadelphia PA 19144, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rittenhouse Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Homestead
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
2. Battle of Germantown Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Jacob Rittenhouse Home at RittenhouseTown (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains a Sketch of the Surprise of Germantown by the American Forces Commanded by General Washington October 4th 1777. Map Illustration: Courtesy of Historic Rittenhouse Town Collection.
A portrait at the bottom of the marker shows “Lieutenant Colonel Robert Knox of Philadelphia in a Pennsylvania Militia Officer’s uniform typical of those worn during the Battle of Germantown.” Painting by Charles Wilson Peale: Courtesy of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum.
Next to this is a picture of the battle with the caption “Fighting within the village of Germantown
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
3. Marker on the Wissahickon Valley Park Trail
Also see . . .
1. American Revolution: Battle of Germantown. (Submitted on October 5, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Germantown 1777. Account of the battle from a British perspective from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on October 5, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
4. Battle of Germantown
American forces attack British troops at Cliveden during the Battle of Germantown reenactment. The British can be seen firing and the Americans from the second floor windows.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,661 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
