Heath's memoirs of the American war

4 October 1777

Battle of Germantown

JAN. 17771 HEATH'S MEMOIRS 119

The next night, Gen. Gray made, with much se crecy, an attack on a body of Americans, under the command of Gen. Wayne: the bayonet was chiefly made use of, and it proved but too efficacious against the Americans, who suffered considerable loss in killed and wounded. Gen. Washington retreated first to Philadelphia, and then left the city. The British army a few days afterwards advanced to Germantown, and on the 2yth a detachment of their army took possession of Philadelphia.

JAN. 17771 HEATH'S MEMOIRS 119

8th. — It was learnt that a body of the enemy, said to be about 3,000, were moving from New York towards Peekskill. Gen. Washington, after he left Philadelphia, encamped near a place called Skip- pack Creek, about 16 miles from Germantown.

UNIVE

greatly damp those who before considered themselves almost in the grasp of victory. Hence what took place at Germantown was no wonder. The fog- giness of the morning was unfortunate for the Amer-

HEAD-QUARTERS, NEW WINDSOR,

22d. — Gen. Greene's official letter to Congress announced that his battle on the 8th, near Eutaw Springs, was well fought; that on the field he ob tained the victory, drove and pursued the enemy for several miles; when the enemy, throwing themselves into a three-story brick house, a stockaded garden, and thick brush, renewed the action, when, after some efforts to dislodge them, Gen. Greene thought it ad visable to call off his troops, which was done, and the wounded brought off, except such as were under the fire of the house. Four brass six-pounders hav ing had their horses killed were also left near the house, in possession of the enemy. This was some what similar to what took place at Germantown battle, and now very probably saved the British from a total defeat. The close of this action barred its being called a complete victory, although its effects