Battle of White Marsh

Coordinates: 40°07′N 75°14′W / 40.12°N 75.23°W / 40.12; -75.23
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Battle of White Marsh
Part of the
cartographer Johann Martin Will
DateDecember 5–8, 1777
Location
Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania,
Springfield Township, Pennsylvania,
Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania,
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
40°07′N 75°14′W / 40.12°N 75.23°W / 40.12; -75.23
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 United States

 Great Britain

Commanders and leaders
United States George Washington Kingdom of Great Britain Sir William Howe
Kingdom of Great Britain Lord Cornwallis
Hesse Wilhelm Knyphausen
Strength
9,500[1] 10,000[2]
Casualties and losses
150 killed and wounded
54 captured[3]		 19 killed
60 wounded
33 missing
238 deserted[4][5]

The Battle of White Marsh or Battle of Edge Hill was a battle of the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought December 5–8, 1777, in the area surrounding Whitemarsh Township, 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.

Sandy Run, primarily situated on several hills between Old York Road and Bethlehem Pike
. From here, Washington monitored British troop movements in Philadelphia and evaluated his options.

On December 4, Gen. Sir William Howe, the commander-in-chief of British forces in North America, led a sizable contingent of troops out of Philadelphia in one last attempt to destroy Washington and the Continental Army before the onset of winter. After a series of skirmishes, Howe called off the attack and 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.

Background and movement to battle

Main article: Philadelphia campaign

After their October 4, 1777, defeat at the

Germantown to Philadelphia, Washington moved his army to Whitpain, 5 miles (8.0 km) closer to Philadelphia, on October 20.[8] On October 29, Washington's army numbered 8,313 Continentals and 2,717 militia, although the terms of enlistment of many soldiers from Maryland and Virginia were due to expire.[9] With his ranks reinforced, Washington dispatched a brigade to assist with the defense of Forts Mifflin and Mercer, on the Delaware River.[8]

Emlen House, Washington's headquarters at White Marsh, in 2007

On November 2, at the recommendation of his council of war, Washington marched his forces to White Marsh, approximately 13 miles (21 km) northwest of Philadelphia.[10] Washington established headquarters at the Emlen House, where he and his aides were quartered.[11] At White Marsh, the army began to build redoubts and defensive works, including abatis in front of their encampment.[10][12]

Colonel Daniel Morgan

After the surrender of British Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne after the Battles of Saratoga, Washington began drawing troops from the north, including the 1,200 men of Varnum's Rhode Island brigade, and about 1,000 more men from various Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia units.[13] Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates sent Col. Daniel Morgan's rifle corps, and the brigades of Paterson and Glover.[9] With these additional forces, and the pending onset of winter, Washington had to face the problem of supplying his army.[10] A quarter of the troops were barefooted, and there were very few blankets or warm clothing. Washington became so desperate that he even offered a reward of $10 to the person who could supply the "best substitute for shoes, made of raw hides".[9] Morale was so low and desertion so common that Washington offered a pardon on October 24 to all deserters who returned by January 1.[10] Washington's loss of Philadelphia and inactivity brought criticism from Congress, who pressured him to attack the city. He therefore called a council of war on November 24 which voted against an attack 11 to 4.[14] Nonetheless, Washington rode out the next day to view the British defenses, which turned to be stronger than he had expected.[15]

Capt. John Montresor was responsible for establishing the defenses around British-occupied Philadelphia.

On October 19, Howe withdrew the British forces from Germantown and focused on the defense of Philadelphia. British military engineer Capt.

Irish Catholic population, with the formation of the Irish Catholic Volunteers, and in the counties immediately surrounding Philadelphia.[21] In mid-November, the fall of Forts Mifflin and Mercer effectively ended American control of the Delaware River, and much-needed supplies began arriving at the city's docks, along with 2,000 additional British soldiers.[22]

The weeks with two major armies sitting within miles of each other were not without conflict, and a

aurora borealis lit up the night skies.[28] The two events caused quite a stir among both the residents of Philadelphia and the troops, British and American alike, who took them as an ominous sign of things to come.[29]

By early December, Howe decided, despite having written to Colonial Secretary

Lord Cornwallis, headed up Germantown Pike. A second column, led by Lt. Gen. von Knyphausen, marched toward the American left.[35]

First day of battle

A German map of the Battle of White Marsh.

Just after midnight on December 5, Cornwallis'

Hessian Maj. Carl von Bauermeister.[37]

Expecting a confrontation, Washington took the precaution of striking his tents before sunrise, and sent the heavy baggage north to

Sir James Murray-Pulteney.[40]

British Lt. Col. Robert Abercromby decided to push his advantage after scattering Irvine's troops.[38] He pushed north and captured St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located on a hillock. Howe arrived a short while later, and ascended to the top of the church's bell tower in an attempt to view the American positions. Deciding the American defenses were too strong to attack with his present force, he opted to shell their defenses with artillery fire;[38] however, his guns did not have the range to hit Washington's defenses. His forces camped on Chestnut Hill that night, and planned a new way of attack for the following day.[38]

Second and third days of battle

The Wissahickon Creek, near the encampment of the Pennsylvania militia.

The two armies spent December 6 watching each other across the Wissahickon Valley. Howe hoped that Washington would leave his positions to attack the British; Washington did not, preferring instead to let the British do the maneuvering.[41] By day's end, Howe decided upon a flanking movement toward the Americans' left, toward Jenkintown and Cheltenham Township,[41] while Maj. Gen. Charles Grey's forces would create a distraction by attacking the American center.[42]

Sometime after 1:00 am

rear guard, including the Jägers and the Queen's Rangers, was hindered by the burning of the villages of Cresheim and Beggarstown by troops at the front of the column.[44] Howe's right was now situated near the Abington Presbyterian Meeting. His main force moved to situate itself on Edge Hill, a ridge that ran parallel to, and a mile in front of, the American lines.[45] Grey's column had broken off from the main column, and proceeded up Whitemarsh Church Road toward the American center.[44]

Maj. Gen. Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey

Gen. Grey had been instructed not to attack until he heard the sound of firing from Howe's column,

Joseph Reed, out reconnoitering on horse near Twickenham, the country estate of Thomas Wharton Jr., attempted to rally Potter's fleeing Pennsylvania militia.[47] Lieut. Col. Sherman, the officer in charge of the 2nd Connecticut Continentals, resented Reed's assumption of command, and later complained to Washington that it put "...Officers and Men into such confusion that it rendered it impossible to keep that regularity so necessary when going into Action."[49] The British soon had them surrounded and outnumbered, and the Pennsylvania militia again panicked and fled.[49] The 2nd Connecticut Continentals made a stand, firing between two and five rounds per man; Sherman only gave the order to retreat when the Jägers were within 15–20 yards of his position.[49] At some point, Cadwalader and Reed became separated from the militia, and Reed's horse was shot out from under him.[49] A body of Hessians charged at the two officers with bayonets,[50] but Capt. McLane rode up with a few dragoons[49] and ordered a charge that scattered the Hessians.[46] McLane then took the two officers to safety.[51]

William Augustus West, Lord Cantelupe
, c. 1778

The Pennsylvania militia fled in panic down Edge Hill, across Sandy Run, and toward the main American camp.[51] Right behind them were men of the 2nd Connecticut, also in disorderly retreat. They were pursued to within yards of their encampment by the Queen's Rangers and Jägers, who then fell back and took a position on Edge Hill,[52] between Grey's troops and Howe's main column.[46]

Morgan's Rifle Corps and Gist's Maryland militia had taken position on Edge Hill, about a mile to the east of Grey's troops, and higher up on the ridge.

23rd Regiments engaged the Americans with 9 men killed and 19 wounded.[52] British Maj. John André reported that one American was killed.[52]

Meanwhile, the main body of Morgan's and Gist's troops engaged Howe's main column in dense woods, where they fought "

33rd Regiment of Foot.[46]

British withdrawal

On the morning of December 8, British generals and engineers once again studied the American positions, looking for any advantage they could exploit in the American defenses.[56] To the astonishment of both the British and the Americans, Howe decided to withdraw and return to Philadelphia.[57] Despite being successful in two major skirmishes over the previous days, his maneuvering had not gotten as far around the American flank as he had hoped and his troops' provisions were running low. Also, the nights were getting colder and the troops had left their tentage and gear in Philadelphia.[58]

Mark Boatner says that Howe "decided that Washington's defenses were too strong to warrant the risk of a general assault.[59] At 2:00 pm,[56] the British began their withdrawal, lighting numerous campfires—in a tactic similar to one used by Washington three days prior—to conceal their movements.[57] An American reconnaissance party, led by Capt. McLane, discovered that Howe was marching back down Old York Road into Philadelphia and communicated this information back to Washington. Morgan's troops harassed the enemy's rear, in particular Grey's column, which was hindered by the weight of the artillery that it was transporting.[60] A contingent of Hessians formed to oppose them with their fieldpieces and Morgan's troops retreated.[60] The British arrived in Philadelphia later that day.[58]

Casualties

No American official casualty return from December 5 to 8 is known to exist. Some information, however, can be pieced together from various sources. For December 5, David Martin says that General Irvine's force took about 40 casualties,[61] while a Loyalist officer with the British Army wrote that Irvine was captured along with 23 of his men.[62] For December 6, Howard Peckham says that the Americans lost 30 killed, 40 wounded and 15 captured.[63] The figure of 15 prisoners taken was confirmed by John André in his journal.[64]

For December 7, Colonel John Laurens stated that "the loss of Morgan's riflemen was 27 killed and wounded",[65] while John Donaldson, an American cavalryman wrote that "Morgan had 44 killed & wounded & among them was Major Morris a brave & gallant officer"[66] This reference was to Major Joseph Morris of the 1st New Jersey Regiment,[65] so Donaldson's figure was evidently for the whole force under Morgan's command, while Laurens' figure was for the Corps of Riflemen only. Benson Lossing confirms that "twenty-seven were killed and wounded in Morgan's Corps", while Major Morris was badly wounded and the Maryland Militia lost "16 or 17" wounded.[67] For December 8, David Martin says that the Maryland Militia lost 20 killed or wounded and 15 prisoners.[68] From these sources, the aggregate American loss from December 5–8 would appear to have been 16 killed or wounded and 24 captured on the 5th; 70 killed or wounded and 15 captured on the 6th; 44 killed or wounded on the 7th and 20 killed or wounded and 15 captured on the 8th. This gives 150 killed or wounded and 54 captured, for a total loss of 204 men.

Lord Cantelupe wrote in his diary that "the number of killed & wounded on our side amount to one hundred & twenty, one officer killed.[69] Cantelupe's figure agrees approximately with Howe's official casualty return for "the different skirmishes from 4th to 8th December", which gives 19 killed, 60 wounded and 33 missing.[4] David Martin gives the total British loss, including deserters, as 350, which would suggest that 238 men deserted.[58]

Aftermath

Washington, frustrated at not being able to confront Howe in a more decisive action, wrote in his report to Henry Laurens, 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, forbade us quitting our post to attack them. Nothing but Success would have justified the measure, and this could not be expected from their position."[70]

On December 11, the Continental Army left White Marsh for

Gen. Sir Henry Clinton. Following France's entry into the war, the British evacuated Philadelphia overland the following spring, and while en route to New York City, they were attacked by Washington at the Battle of Monmouth.[72]

Remains of the American redoubts were visible near

Armstrong, Cadwalader and Irvine) held positions on the park's Militia Hill.[75] Nearby, Emlen House, Washington's headquarters between November 2 and December 11, remains standing despite destructive modernization in 1854.[76]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Philadelphia 1777: Taking the Capital, Clement pg.26
  2. ^ McGuire, p. 239. This figure comes from the diary of Lord Cantelupe.
  3. ^ December 5: Martin, p. 161, (40 casualties). McGuire, p. 242, (24 captured). December 6: Peckham, p. 45, (139 killed, 40 wounded and 15 captured). McGuire, p. 246, (15 captured). December 7: McGuire, p. 253, (44 killed or wounded). December 8: Martin, p. 163, (20 killed or wounded and 15 captured)
  4. ^ a b Jackson, pp. 115 and 308
  5. ^ Martin p.164
  6. ^ Martin, p. 151.
  7. ^ Martin, p. 152.
  8. ^ a b Martin, p. 153.
  9. ^ a b c Ward, p. 378.
  10. ^ a b c d Martin, p. 154.
  11. ^ "General Orders, 2 November 1777". Founders Online. National Archives. Original source: Grizzard, Frank E. Jr.; Hoth, David R., eds. (2002) [26 October 1777 – 25 December 1777]. The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series. Vol. 12. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia. pp. 91–92.
  12. ^ McMichael, p. 214.
  13. ^ Ward, p. 377.
  14. ^ Martin, p. 156.
  15. ^ Martin, p.157.
  16. ^ McGuire, p. 238.
  17. ^ a b Ward, p. 379.
  18. ^ McGuire, p. 231.
  19. ^ McGuire, pp. 231–232.
  20. ^ McGuire, p. 232.
  21. ^ McGuire, p. 232. Most notably, Loyalist dragoons were raised by Richard Hovenden in Philadelphia County and Jacob James in Chester County, and a Bucks County regiment raised by Thomas Sandford.
  22. ^ McGuire, p. 236.
  23. ^ Term petite guerre specifically used by McGuire, p. 233.
  24. ^ McGuire, p. 233.
  25. ^ a b McGuire, p. 234.
  26. ^ McGuire, p. 235.
  27. ^ McGuire, p. 237. McGuire notes the event was recorded in the journals of Captain von Munchhausen, John Laurens and Christopher Marshall.
  28. ^ McGuire, p. 237. McGuire notes the event was recorded in the journals of James Allen in Allentown and Joseph Plumb Martin.
  29. ^ McGuire, p. 237.
  30. ^ McGuire, p. 239.
  31. ^ "CIA.gov: Intelligence in the War of Independence – Personalities". Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009. "Family legend contributes the colorful but uncorroborated story of Lydia Darragh and her listening post for eavesdropping on the British."
  32. ^ Darrah's exploits were first documented in the article Lydia Darragh: One of the Heroines of the Revolution by Henry Darrach, published in 1915 by the City History Society of Philadelphia. A copy of this article is online here Archived March 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  33. ^ City History Society of Philadelphia, p. 396.
  34. ^ a b McGuire, p. 240.
  35. ^ a b c d Martin, p. 160.
  36. ^ a b McMichael, p. 215.
  37. ^ a b Ward, p. 380.
  38. ^ a b c d e Martin, p. 161.
  39. ^ a b c McGuire, p. 241.
  40. ^ a b c McGuire, p. 242.
  41. ^ a b c McGuire, p. 243.
  42. ^ a b c Martin, p. 162.
  43. ^ Sources differ as to whether it was 1:00 am or 2:00 am
  44. ^ a b McGuire, p. 244.
  45. ^ a b c McGuire, p. 245.
  46. ^ a b c d Martin, p.163.
  47. ^ a b c McGuire, p. 246.
  48. ^ Sources are inconsistent as to which American troops fired on Grey.
  49. ^ a b c d e McGuire, p. 248.
  50. ^ Event was the subject of a painting entitled "General Reed at Whitemarsh" (c. 1785–1787) by Charles Willson Peale. See article by Charles Coleman Sellers titled "Charles Willson Peale with Patron and Populace. A Supplement to "Portraits and Miniatures by Charles Willson Peale. With a Survey of His Work in Other Genres" in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, New Ser., Vol. 59, No. 3 (1969):22, for more information.
  51. ^ a b McGuire, p. 249. Sherman actually accused Reed of leaving "the Regiment and Field with precipitation" after the "Enemy began to fire."
  52. ^ a b c d e McGuire, p. 250.
  53. ^ Usually referred to as Lord Cantelupe. He was formally Viscount Cantelupe, and became 3rd Earl De La Warr after the death of his father in November 1777.
  54. ^ McGuire, p. 251. McGuire cites the writings of Maj. André, Lieut. Wetherall and Col. Hangar
  55. ^ McGuire, p. 252.
  56. ^ a b McGuire, p. 253. Quoting the diary of British Captain-Lieutenant John Peebles
  57. ^ a b McGuire, p. 254.
  58. ^ a b c Martin, p. 164.
  59. ^ Boatner, p. 1200
  60. ^ a b Ward, p. 381.
  61. ^ Martin, p. 161
  62. ^ McGuire, p. 242
  63. ^ Peckham, p. 45
  64. ^ McGuire, p. 246
  65. ^ a b McGuire, p. 252
  66. ^ McGuire, p. 253
  67. ^ Lossing, p. 321
  68. ^ Martin, p. 163
  69. ^ McGuire, p. 249
  70. ^ The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 10 Archived September 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine – Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library, accessed September 21, 2006
  71. ^ Martin p.181
  72. ^ Martin, p.212
  73. ^ Lossing, p. 115.
  74. ^ Sally Wister's Journal: A True Narrative: Being a Quaker Maiden's Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777–1779, Ferris & Leach, Philadelphia, 1902, entries for Dec. 7, 1777, and Feb. 30 [sic], 1778.
  75. ^ a b c "Fort Washington State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  76. ^ Eberlein, p. 287.

References

Further reading

External links

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