Editing Battle of Germantown (section)

== Background ==

The campaign that led to Germantown had been disastrous for the Americans. British General William Howe landed a large army at the head of the Chesapeake Bay in August 1777 and advanced toward Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress. Washington attempted to block Howe's advance at Brandywine Creek on September 11, but the British flanked his position and inflicted a serious defeat. Congress fled Philadelphia, eventually relocating to York, Pennsylvania, as British forces occupied the capital on September 26. Washington's army retreated northwest, establishing a position near Skippack Creek approximately 20 miles from the city, where it could threaten British operations while avoiding decisive engagement.<ref name="lengel">{{cite book |last=Lengel |first=Edward G. |title=General George Washington: A Military Life |year=2005 |publisher=Random House |location=New York}}</ref>

Rather than accept the loss of Philadelphia passively, Washington began planning an offensive operation. He learned that the British had divided their forces, with Howe's main body encamped at Germantown while detachments garrisoned Philadelphia and attacked American fortifications on the Delaware River. The dispersal of British strength presented an opportunity: if Washington could overwhelm the Germantown force before reinforcements arrived from Philadelphia, he might destroy a significant portion of Howe's army. Intelligence reports indicated approximately 9,000 British troops at Germantown, facing Washington's roughly 11,000 Continentals and militiamen. The odds were favorable for a surprise attack.<ref name="mcguire"/>