NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Battle of White Marsh

The Battle of White Marsh was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought December 5 - December 8, 1777, in the area surrounding White Marsh, Pennsylvania. The battle, which took the form of a series of skirmish actions, was the last major engagement of 1777 between British and American forces. British commander General William Howe led a sizable contingent of troops out of British-occupied Philadelphia in one last attempt to destroy George Washington and the Continental Army before the onset of winter. Washington repelled the British attacks, and Howe returned to Philadelphia without engaging Washington in a decisive conflict. With the British back in Philadelphia, Washington was able to march his troops to winter quarters at Valley Forge. Combatants United States Great Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Henry Clinton The Philadelphia campaign (1777â€“1778) was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants United States Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 11,000 17,000 Casualties 250 killed 750 wounded 400 captured 89 killed 487 wounded The Battle of Brandywine was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 11, 1777 near Chadds Ford on Brandywine Creek in Delaware... The Paoli Massacre is the name given to an incident during the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants Continental Army Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength ? 9,000 Casualties 152 killed, 521 wounded, & 400 captured 71 killed, 450 wounded, & 14 missing The Battle of Germantown was in the American Revolutionary War. ... Recreation of a cabin in which soldiers would have lived at Valley Forge. ... Combatants Patriot militia Britain Hessian Army Commanders John Lacey William Howe Strength ? ? Casualties None None The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle of the American Revolutionary War and was fought on May 1, 1778. ... The Battle of Monmouth was an inconclusive battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on June 28, 1778. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, The Netherlands, Spain, American Indians Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Canadian Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de GÃ¡lvez William Howe, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775â€“1783), also known as the American War... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Whitemarsh Township is a township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area Ranked 33rd - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 kmÂ²) - Width 160 miles (255 km) - Length 280 miles (455 km) - % water 2. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe PC (August 10, 1729 â€“ July 12, 1814) was an English General who was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary War, one of the three Howe brothers. ... Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732â€“December 14, 1799) commanded Americas war for independence (1775â€“1783), and was the first President of the United States, from 1789 to 1797. ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... Recreation of a cabin in which soldiers would have lived at Valley Forge. ...

Background

After their October 4, 1777, defeat at the Battle of Germantown, Washington's army retreated along Skippack Pike to Pawling's Mill, beyond the Perkiomen Creek, where they remained encamped until October 8. They then marched east on Skippack Pike, turned left on Forty-Foot Road, and marched to Sumneytown Pike, where they camped on the property of Frederick Wampole near Kulpsville in Towamencin Township. While there, General Francis Nash died of wounds incurred at Germantown and was buried in the Mennonite Meeting Cemetery. On October 16, Washington's forces marched to Methacton—one group via Forty-Foot Road and Skippack Pike, the other on Sumneytown Pike and North Wales Road. On October 20, they marched down Skippack Pike to Whitpain. On November 2, Washington marched his forces—one column via Skippack Pike and the other on Morris Road and present-day Pennsylvania Avenue—to White Marsh, approximately 13 miles (21 km) northwest of Philadelphia. October 4 is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants Continental Army Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength ? 9,000 Casualties 152 killed, 521 wounded, & 400 captured 71 killed, 450 wounded, & 14 missing The Battle of Germantown was in the American Revolutionary War. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (282nd in leap years). ... Kulpsville is a census-designated place located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ... Francis Nash (1742-1777) was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 72 days remaining. ... Whitpain Township is a township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ...

In early December, British commander General William Howe decided to make one last attempt to destroy Washington's army before the onset of winter, and he began preparations for the attack on the American forces who were rumored to be in the process of moving to a new camp.

Washington's intelligence network, led by Major John Clark, became aware of British plans to surprise the Americans. The Continental Army was ready when Howe marched out of Philadelphia, with a force of approximately 14,000 men, at midnight on December 4. The advance column, led by Lord Cornwallis, headed up Germantown Pike. A second column, led by General Knyphausen, marched toward the American left. Paul Reveres ride. ... December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (December 31, 1738-October 5, British general and colonial governor. ... General Wilhelm von Knyphausen (1716 â€“ 1800), Hessian mercenary officer during the American Revolutionary War. ...

Battle

Early in the morning of December 5, Cornwallis' column was observed at Chestnut Hill, three miles (5 km) to the right of the American front, where they were fired upon near Beggar Town (now Mount Airy) by a patrol led by Captain Allen McLane. Washington sent out Brigadier-General James Irvine and 600 troops of the Pennsylvania militia to counter Cornwallis' advance. In the action that followed, Irvine was wounded and taken prisoner. That night, the British camped at St. Thomas Episcopal church on Bethlehem Pike, less than half a mile (1 km) from the American positions. December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mount Airy is a neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

A series of skirmishes ensued on December 6 and 7, with British forces constantly probing the American lines for weakness, only to be repelled by Washington and his troops. At one point, Colonel Joseph Reed and General John Cadwalader became separated from the American forces and were set upon by a group of Hessian soldiers. The two were rescued by Captain McLane and his cavalry, the very men that had fired the opening shots of the engagement one day earlier.^[1] December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Joseph Reed (August 27, 1741â€“ March 5, 1785) was an American lawyer and jurist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... John Cadwalader (1742-1786) was a merchant and soldier from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Hessian is an English word which refers to inhabitants of the German state of Hessen. ...

On December 7, Howe made an attempt to turn the American left flank along Abington and Edge Hill. Washington countered with Daniel Morgan's corps of riflemen and Mordecai Gist's Maryland militia. After some intense skirmish actions (sometimes referred to as the "Battle of Edge Hill,") both forces withdrew. December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of Marathon, an example of the double-envelopment, a form of flanking maneuver In military tactics, a flanking maneuver, also called a flank attack, is an attack on the sides (or, less often, the rear [1]) of an opposing force. ... Daniel Morgan (July 6, 1736â€“July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area Ranked 42nd - Total 12,417 sq mi (32,160 kmÂ²) - Width 90 miles (145 km) - Length 249 miles (400 km) - % water 21 - Latitude 37Â°53N to 39Â°43N - Longitude 75Â°4W to 79Â°33...

The following day, Howe and his troops abandoned the engagement and returned to Philadelphia.

Aftermath

The Americans suffered 90 killed or wounded, including 27 of Morgan's men, 16-17 men from the Maryland militia and Major Joseph Morris of the First New Jersey Regiment. 32 Americans were captured. British casualties were 60 killed or wounded. George Washington (February 22, 1732â€“December 14, 1799) commanded Americas war for independence (1775â€“1783), and was the first President of the United States, from 1789 to 1797. ...

Washington, frustrated at not being able to confront Howe in a more decisive action, wrote in his report to the President of Congress, "I sincerely wish, that they had made an Attack; the Issue in all probability, from the disposition of our Troops and the strong situation of our Camp, would have been fortunate and happy. At the same time I must add that reason, prudence, and every principle of policy, forbad us quitting our post to attack them. Nothing but Success would have justified the measure, and this could not be expected from their position." ^[2] The Continental Congress is the label given to three successive bodies of representatives: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774 to October 26, 1774. ...

On December 11, the Continental Army left White Marsh for Valley Forge. It took the soldiers eight days to make the 13-mile (21 km) journey. December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ...

Further reading

External links

Categories: 1777 | Battles of the American Revolutionary War | Battles of the United Kingdom | History of Pennsylvania Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 3986 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of twelve North American colonies of Great Britain in 1774. ... The Articles of Association was a petition of grievances against Great Britain by the American colonies, and a compact among them to collectively impose economic sanctions to pressure a resolution. ... Exterior view of Independence Hall (circa 1770s). ... The Second Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of several British North American colonies which met from May 10, 1775 to March 1, 1781. ... Betsy Ross and two children presenting her sewn flag to George Washington and others Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752 - January 30, 1836) was an American woman who is said to have sewn the first American flag. ... U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies in North America declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America and was authored primarily by George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. ... The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document of the United States of America. ... Combatants United States Great Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Henry Clinton The Philadelphia campaign (1777â€“1778) was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants United States Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 11,000 17,000 Casualties 250 killed 750 wounded 400 captured 89 killed 487 wounded The Battle of Brandywine was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 11, 1777 near Chadds Ford on Brandywine Creek in Delaware... The Liberty Bell, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American bell of great historic significance. ... The Paoli Massacre is the name given to an incident during the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants Continental Army Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength ? 9,000 Casualties 152 killed, 521 wounded, & 400 captured 71 killed, 450 wounded, & 14 missing The Battle of Germantown was in the American Revolutionary War. ... Fort Mifflin is located in the southern portion of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, near the Philadelphia Airport. ... Recreation of a cabin in which soldiers would have lived at Valley Forge. ... Combatants Patriot militia Britain Hessian Army Commanders John Lacey William Howe Strength ? ? Casualties None None The Battle of Crooked Billet was a battle of the American Revolutionary War and was fought on May 1, 1778. ... Combatants United States Great Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Henry Clinton The Philadelphia campaign (1777â€“1778) was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War. ... A nineteenth century American depiction of the Wyoming Valley massacre. ... The Congress of the Confederation or the United States in Congress Assembled was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of the United States from March 1, 1781 to March 4, 1789. ...

Contents

Background

Battle

Aftermath

See also

Notes

Further reading

External links

Contents

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Battle

Aftermath

See also

Notes

Further reading

External links

Background