The New Student's Reference Work/Germantown

Germantown, a famous town of Pennsylvania, included since 1854 in the limits of Philadelphia.  It was the scene of the defeat of the American army under Washington by the British on Oct. 4, 1777.  Washington had learned that Howe had separated a portion of the main division of his army, then at Germantown, and he determined to take advantage of it to attack his camp.  Marching all night, he attacked the enemy at sunrise, but the morning was dark and foggy, and the Americans were thrown into confusion.  They were seized with panic, though Washington succeeded in retreating in good order.  The Americans lost 1,000 men, and the British 600.