campment crossed that village at right angles, the left wing extending on the west to the Schuykill. That wing was covered in front and flank by the German chasseurs. A battalion of light infantry, and the queen's American rangers, were in front of the right; and the 40th regiment, with another battalion of infantry, was posted at the head of the village.

The Americans moved from their encampment on the Skippach road, in the evening of the 3d of October, with the intention of surprising their adversaries early next morning, and to attack both wings in front and rear at the same time, so as to prevent the several parts from supporting each other. The divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Conway's brigade, were to enter the town by the way of Chesnut hill; while general Armstrong, with the Pennsylvania militia, should fall down the Manatawny road, and gain the left and rear of the British. The divisions of Greene and Stephens, flanked by McDougal's brigade, were to enter by the lime kiln road. The militia of Maryland and Jersey, under generals Smallwood and Furman, were to march by the old York road, and to fall upon the rear of their right.

Lord

· Lord Stirling, with Nash's and Maxwell's brigade, were to form a corps de reserve. The Americans began their attack about sun rise on the 40th regiment, and a battalion of light infantry. These two corps, being obliged to retreat, were pursued into the village. On their retreat, lieutenant-colonel Musgrove, with six companies, took post in Chew's strong stone house, which lay in front of the Americans. From an adherence to the military maxim, of never leaving a post possessed by an enemy in the rear, it was resolved to attack the party in the house.

In the meantime general Greene got up with his column, and attacked the right wing. Colonel Mathews routed a party of the British opposed to him, killed several, and took 110 prisoners; but from the darkness of the day lost sight of the brigade to which he belonged, and having separated from it, was taken prisoner with his whole regiment; and the prisoners which he had previously taken, were released. A number of the troops in Greene's division were stopped by the halting of the party before Chew's House. Near one half of the American army remained for some time in that placé inactive: Meanwhile general Grey led on three battalions of the third brigade, and attacked with vigor. A

sharp

sharp contest followed. Two British regi ments attacked at the same time on the opposite side of the town. General Grant moved up the 49th regiment, to the aid of those who were engaged with Greene's column.

The morning was extremely foggy. This, by concealing the true situation of the parties, occasioned mistakes, and made so much caution necessary, as to give the British time to recover from the effects of their first surprise. From these causes the early promising appearances on the part of the assailants were speedily reversed. The Americans left the field hastily, and all efforts to rally them were ineffectual. General Washington was obliged to relinquish the victory he had thought within his grasp, and to turn his whole attention to the security of his army. A retreat to about twenty miles off was made, with the loss of only one piece of artillery. In this engagement the loss of the Americans, including the wounded, and 400 prisoners, was about 1,100. A considerable part of this was occasioned by the 40th régiment, which, from the doors and windows of Chew's large stone house, kept up a constant fire on their uncovered adversaries."

The plan of the battle of Germantown

was

was judicious, and its commencement well conducted; but to ensure its successful execution, a steady co-operation of the several divisions of the assailants was necessary. The numerous enclosures to be passed, and the thickness of the fog, rendered this impossible, especially by troops who were imperfectly. disciplined, and, without experience. : Congress voted their thanks to General Washington, for his wise and well concerted attack, and to the officers and soldiers of the army, for their brave exertions on that occasion ;" and added, "they were well satisfied, that the best designs, and boldest efforts, may sometimes fail by unforeseen accidents."

In the latter part of the campaign of 1777, in proportion as the loss of Philadelphia became more probable, Washington took every precaution to diminish its value to the enemy. Orders were given for moving the military stores, and the vessels at the wharfs of that city, higher up the Delaware, From the time that the British got possession, every aid consistent with greater objects, was given to the forts constructed on the Delaware, for opposing the British in their attempts to open the navigation of that river. Troops were

stationed

2

stationed on both sides of the Delaware, to prevent the inhabitants from going with their provisions to the market of Philadelphia, and to destroy small foraging parties, sent out to obtain supplies for the royal army. His objects were, to enfeeble the royal army in their operations against the forts on the Delaware, to attack them if circumstances favored, and prevent their receiving supplies from the country.

The British shortly after evacuated Germantown, concentred their force at Philadel phia, and directed their principal attention to the opening of the navigation of the Delaware. This employed them for more than six weeks, and, after a great display of gallantry on both sides, was finally accomplished.

In this discouraging state of public affairs, a letter was addressed to the American general, by the reverend Jacob Duché, late chaplain of congress, and a clergyman of the first rank, for character, piety, and eloquence; the purport of which was to persuade Washington, that farther resistance to Great Bri tain was hopeless, and would only increase the calamities of their common country, and under this impression to urge him to make the best terms he could with the British commanders,