Philadelphia campaign facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Philadelphia campaign

Part of the Pennsylvanian front of the American Revolutionary War

Washington and Lafayette at the Battle of Brandywine
John Vanderlyn, c. 1825

Date	July 1777–July 1778
Location	New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania
Result	Inconclusive

Belligerents

United States

2nd Canadian Regiment

Oneida

Great Britain

Hesse-Kassel

Commanders and leaders

George Washington
Nathanael Greene
Benjamin Lincoln
Lord Stirling
John Sullivan
Anthony Wayne
Marquis de Lafayette
Henry Knox

Moses Hazen

Sir William Howe
Sir Henry Clinton
Lord Cornwallis
Charles Grey

Wilhelm Knyphausen

Carl Donop †

Ludwig Wurmb

Strength

Around 20,000+

Around 16,000+

The Philadelphia campaign was a major part of the American Revolutionary War that took place from 1777 to 1778. The British Army, led by General William Howe, aimed to capture Philadelphia. At that time, Philadelphia was the capital city for the American revolutionaries. It was where the Second Continental Congress met, formed the Continental Army, and declared independence from Britain.

General Howe first tried to get George Washington's Continental Army to fight in New Jersey. When that didn't work, he moved his troops by ship. They landed near the Chesapeake Bay and marched towards Philadelphia. Washington set up defenses at Brandywine Creek. However, on September 11, 1777, the British outsmarted and defeated the Americans in the Battle of Brandywine.

After more fighting, Howe's army marched into Philadelphia and took control of the city. Washington then tried to attack a British base in Germantown, but he was unsuccessful. His army then moved to Valley Forge for the winter. There, they faced a very difficult time with little food and warm clothes.

General Howe's plan to capture Philadelphia was debated by many. Even though he took the capital, he moved slowly. He also didn't help another British general, John Burgoyne, who was fighting further north. Burgoyne's campaign ended badly for the British at the Battles of Saratoga, which then brought France into the war to help the Americans. Howe later resigned and General Sir Henry Clinton took his place.

In 1778, Clinton was told to leave Philadelphia and gather his troops in New York City. This was because a combined French and American attack was expected there. Many American colonists who supported the British (called Loyalists) also left Philadelphia. Washington's army followed the British as they left. They fought a large battle at Monmouth. By the end of the campaign, both armies were back in similar positions to where they started.

The Plan to Capture Philadelphia
Capturing Philadelphia
Winter at Valley Forge and the Battle of Monmouth
- Changes in British Command
- The Battle of Monmouth
What Happened Next
Images for kids
See Also

The Plan to Capture Philadelphia

After the British captured New York City, and the Americans won battles at Trenton and Princeton, both armies settled down for the winter of 1777. There were many small fights, but the main British army stayed in New Jersey.

British General Howe's Strategy

A portrait of George Washington, the leader of the American Continental Army.

British General Sir William Howe, who led the campaign to capture Philadelphia.

In 1777, British General William Howe suggested a plan to George Germain, a British official. Howe wanted to capture Philadelphia, which was the home of the American government, the Second Continental Congress. Germain approved Howe's plan, but gave him fewer soldiers than he asked for.

Germain also approved a plan for another British general, John Burgoyne, to march from Canada to Albany. Germain expected Howe to help Burgoyne by sending troops north from New York City.

Howe's Decision to Sail

Howe decided not to march his army to Philadelphia by land through New Jersey. This route would have meant crossing the wide Delaware River while facing American attacks. Instead, in April 1777, Howe chose to take his army to Philadelphia by sea. This decision meant that Howe would not be able to help General Burgoyne in the north.

George Washington and many historians since have wondered why Howe didn't help Burgoyne. Burgoyne's army was later surrounded and captured by the Americans in October. Many historians believe that Lord Germain did not do a good job coordinating the two British campaigns.

Some historians think Howe might have wanted the glory of capturing Philadelphia for himself. He might not have wanted to help Burgoyne, who was a junior officer. Howe wrote to Burgoyne in July, saying his goal was Pennsylvania to meet Washington. He added that if Washington went north, he would follow to help Burgoyne. But Howe sailed south soon after.

Washington's Defenses in New Jersey

Washington's Continental Army was mostly camped in Morristown, New Jersey. They also had a smaller base closer to the British. In April 1777, British General Charles Cornwallis led a surprise attack on this base. He almost captured the American commander, Benjamin Lincoln.

After this attack, Washington moved his army to a strong position in the Watchung Mountains. This spot allowed him to watch the British routes toward Philadelphia.

General Howe then moved his army to Somerset Court House. This was a trick to try and make Washington leave his strong mountain position. But Washington didn't fall for it. He knew Howe didn't have the boats needed to cross the Delaware River.

When Howe pulled his army back towards Perth Amboy, Washington followed. Howe then tried a quick attack to cut off Washington's army, but it failed in the Battle of Short Hills. Howe then loaded his troops onto ships and sailed out of New York harbor, heading for Philadelphia.

Washington's Uncertainty and Response

Washington didn't know where Howe's fleet was going. He thought Howe might be trying another trick, perhaps sailing up the Hudson River to join Burgoyne. So, Washington stayed near New York for a while.

He only started moving his troops south to defend Philadelphia when he heard Howe's fleet was near the mouth of the Delaware River. But the fleet didn't enter the Delaware. It kept sailing south. Washington worried Howe might be going to Charleston, South Carolina.

Finally, Washington learned that Howe's fleet had entered the Chesapeake Bay. In August, he quickly moved his army south to prepare Philadelphia's defenses. Meanwhile, American General John Sullivan tried a raid on Staten Island on August 22, but it was unsuccessful.

Capturing Philadelphia

In September 1777, American patriots moved the Liberty Bell to Allentown, Pennsylvania. They hid it under a church floor to protect it from the British.

In late August, General Howe landed 15,000 British troops near the top of the Chesapeake Bay. This was about 55 miles (90 km) southwest of Philadelphia. General Washington placed 11,000 American soldiers between Howe and the city.

The Battle of Brandywine

On September 11, 1777, the British outsmarted Washington's army at the Battle of Brandywine. They attacked from the side and forced the Americans to retreat. The American army lost over 1,000 soldiers, while the British lost about half that number.

The Continental Congress had to leave Philadelphia again. They moved first to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and then to York, Pennsylvania. For several days, the British and American forces moved around west of Philadelphia. They had smaller fights, like the "Paoli Massacre," which was a surprise night attack by the British.

British Occupation of Philadelphia

On September 26, Howe finally outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia without a fight. The British thought capturing the capital would end the war. However, the Revolutionary War continued for six more years. This was partly because the Americans used different fighting methods.

After taking Philadelphia, the British placed about 9,000 troops in Germantown, a town five miles (8 km) north of the city. On October 2, the British captured Fort Billingsport on the Delaware River. This helped them clear away underwater obstacles that were blocking their supply route. These obstacles were designed by Benjamin Franklin and Robert Smith.

Washington's Counterattacks

Washington then launched an attack on the British in Germantown on October 4. However, his attack was unsuccessful, and he had to retreat. The British still needed to fully open the Delaware River for supplies. After a long defense by the American navies, the British finally took Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer in mid-November.

In early December, Washington successfully stopped several attacks by General Howe at the Battle of White Marsh. During this time, some politicians and officers were unhappy with Washington's leadership. They secretly discussed replacing him. Washington brought this issue to the Continental Congress, and his supporters stood by him, confirming his role as commander.

Winter at Valley Forge and the Battle of Monmouth

A British map from 1777 showing Philadelphia and the surrounding area, including Fort Mifflin.

The March to Valley Forge, a painting from 1883 showing the difficult journey to Valley Forge.

A snapshot of the Battle of Germantown.

Washington and his army set up camp at Valley Forge in December 1777. This was about 20 miles (32 km) from Philadelphia, and they stayed there for six months. It was a very harsh winter. About 2,500 out of 10,000 soldiers died from sickness and cold.

However, the army became stronger thanks to a training program led by Baron von Steuben. He taught the soldiers important military skills.

Changes in British Command

Meanwhile, there was a change in the British leadership. General Howe resigned, and Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton became the new commander. France joined the war to help the Americans, which changed Britain's war plans. Clinton was ordered to leave Philadelphia and move his troops to New York City. New York was now at risk from the French navy.

As the British prepared to leave, Washington sent Lafayette on a scouting mission. Lafayette barely escaped a British ambush at the Battle of Barren Hill. The British also sent a peace group to offer terms to the Americans. However, the Second Continental Congress rejected these offers in June 1778.

The Battle of Monmouth

Clinton sent many Loyalists and most of his heavy equipment by sea to New York. He then evacuated Philadelphia on June 18, 1778, after 266 days of British control. Washington's army followed Clinton's retreating forces. Washington successfully forced a battle at Monmouth Courthouse on June 28. This was the last major battle in the northern states.

Washington's second-in-command, General Charles Lee, ordered a confusing retreat early in the battle. This allowed Clinton's army to regroup. By July, Clinton was in New York City, and Washington was back at White Plains, New York. Both armies ended up in roughly the same places they had been two years earlier.

What Happened Next

Soon after the British arrived in New York City, a French fleet appeared outside its harbor. This led to a lot of activity from both sides. The French and Americans tried to attack the British base at Newport, Rhode Island, but this first joint effort was unsuccessful.

Following orders from London, Clinton sent some of his troops to the West Indies. He also began a series of raids along the American coast. Around New York City, Clinton and Washington's armies watched each other and had small fights.

The British also started a wider frontier war from Quebec City. They used Loyalists and Native American allies. British and French forces fought each other in the West Indies and India starting in 1778. When Spain joined the war in 1779, it made the conflict even more global.

In 1780, the British began a "southern strategy" to regain control of the colonies. They captured Charleston, South Carolina. However, this effort eventually failed at Yorktown, leading to the end of the war.