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53-642: Schanck may refer to: John Schanck (1750–1823), captain in the New Jersey Militia during the American Revolutionary War Cape Schanck , locality in the Australian state of Victoria Cape Schanck Lighthouse , built in 1859 as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria Daniel S. Schanck Observatory , former astronomical observatory on

106-534: A brief rest, headed downstream toward Swede's Ford where the American militia abandoned three cannons. Charles Cornwallis subsequently seized Philadelphia for the British on September 26, dealing a blow to the revolutionary cause. Howe left a garrison of 3,462 men to defend the city, moving the bulk of his force north, some 9,728 men, to the outlying community of Germantown. With the campaigning season drawing to

159-560: A close, Howe determined to locate and destroy the main American army. Howe established his headquarters at the Stenton Mansion , the former country home of James Logan . Despite having suffered successive defeats, Washington saw an opportunity to entrap and decisively defeat the divided British army. He resolved to attack the Germantown garrison, as the last effort of the year before entering winter quarters. His plan called for

212-459: A complex, ambitious assault; four columns of troops were to assail the British garrison from different directions, at night, with the goal of creating a double-envelopment. Washington's hope was that the British would be surprised and overwhelmed much how the Hessians were at Trenton . Germantown was a hamlet of stone houses, spreading from what is now known as Mount Airy on the north, to what

265-417: A determined assault against Cliveden; however, the outnumbered defenders repulsed their attempts, inflicting heavy casualties. Washington called a council of war to decide how to deal with the fortification. Some of his subordinates favoured bypassing Clivden entirely, leaving a regiment behind to besiege it. However, Washington's artillery commander, Brigadier General Henry Knox , advised it was unwise to allow

318-399: A fortified garrison to remain under enemy control in the rear of a forward advance. Washington concurred. General William Maxwell's brigade, which had been held in reserve, was brought forward to storm Cliveden, partially led by a volunteer aide from General Washington's own staff, Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens , who had been shot through his right and therefore dominant shoulder earlier in

371-472: A great deal of confusion among the approaching Americans. After a sharp contest, Sullivan's column routed the British pickets. Unseen in the fog, around 120 men of the British 40th Foot barricaded the Chew House . When the American reserve moved forward, Washington made the decision to launch repeated assaults on the position, all of which failed with heavy casualties. Penetrating several hundred yards beyond

424-480: A new army, raised within the year, and undaunted by a series of recent disasters, had assailed a victorious enemy in his own quarters, and had only been repulsed after a sharp and dubious conflict. John Fiske , in The American Revolution (1891), wrote: ...The genius and audacity shown by Washington, in thus planning and so nearly accomplishing the ruin of the British army only three weeks after

477-512: A picket of two Jäger battalions, positioned on the high ground above the mouth of the Wissahickon to the far left. A brigade of Hessians, and two brigades of British regulars camped along Market Square. East of the Square, two British brigades under the command of General James Grant had encamped, with two squadrons of dragoons, and the 1st battalion of Light Infantry. The Queen's Rangers ,

530-506: A savage skirmish. The fog that clung to the field was compounded by palls of smoke from the cannon and musket fire, throwing Greene's column into disarray and confusion. One of Greene's brigades, under Brigadier General Adam Stephen , veered off-course and began following Meetinghouse Road, instead of rendezvousing at Market Square with the rest of Greene's troops. The wayward brigade collided with Wayne's brigade, and mistook them for redcoats. The two American brigades opened fire on each other in

583-510: A small British force under Sir William Erskine feinted north and another force mounted a demonstration at Gordon's Ford. Howe's moves convinced Washington that the British commander was trying to seize his supply base at Reading and turn his right flank. Washington moved north, but in the night of September 22–23, the British army reversed direction. They crossed the Schuylkill at Fatland and Richardson's Fords without opposition, and after

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636-637: A stinging defeat on Anthony Wayne 's division at Paoli on September 20, the British army marched north to Valley Forge then west to the French Creek bridge . At this point, Howe's right wing faced Fatland Ford on the Schuylkill River near Valley Forge while the left wing was opposite Gordon's Ford at French Creek and the left center faced Richardson's Ford. The American army defended all these Schuylkill crossings, plus one farther downstream at Swede's Ford near Norristown . On September 22,

689-523: A substantial part of Sullivan's division to finally overwhelm the British pickets, and drive them back into Germantown. Howe, still believing his men were facing only light opposition, called out; "For shame, Light Infantry! I never saw you retreat before! Form! Form! It is only a scouting party!" Just then, three American guns came into action, opening fire with grapeshot . Howe and his staff quickly withdrew out of range. Several British officers were shocked to see their own soldiers rapidly falling back before

742-464: A unit of loyalist Americans recruited from New York, covered the right flank. After dusk on October 3, the American force began the 16 miles (26 km) march southward toward Germantown in complete darkness. To differentiate friend from foe in the darkness, the troops were instructed to put a piece of white paper in their hats to mark them out. The Americans remained undetected by the Jäger pickets, and

795-471: Is called locally) that took place there on December 14, 1776. Arriving home on leave from Washington's army across the Delaware, Schenck was informed by a cousin that a scouting party of British dragoons were in the area. Schenck quickly assembled a party of irregulars from family members and neighbors and set an ambush for the British as they returned from their mission. Schenck and his party successfully took

848-413: Is now Market Square in the south. Extending southwest from Market Square was Schoolhouse Lane, running 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the point where Wissahickon Creek emptied from a steep gorge, into the Schuylkill River . Howe had established his main camp along the high ground of Schoolhouse and Church lanes. The western wing of the camp, under the command of Hessian general Wilhelm von Knyphausen , had

901-797: The British Army led by Sir William Howe , and the American Continental Army under George Washington . After defeating the Continental Army at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, and the Battle of Paoli on September 20, Howe outmaneuvered Washington, seizing Philadelphia, the capital of the United States , on September 26. Howe left a garrison of some 3,000 troops in Philadelphia, while moving

954-586: The Delaware River of obstacles at Red Bank and Fort Mifflin . After unsuccessfully attempting to draw Washington into combat at White Marsh , Howe withdrew to Philadelphia. Washington, his army intact, withdrew to Valley Forge , where he wintered and re-trained his forces. The Philadelphia campaign had begun badly for the Americans. Washington's Continental Army suffered a string of defeats at Cooch's Bridge , Brandywine, and Paoli. After inflicting

1007-730: The American Revolution , concluded that although the battle had unquestionably been a defeat for the Americans, it was of "great and enduring service to the American cause". In particular, the engagement persuaded the Comte de Vergennes to vouch for the United States against Britain. He continues: That the battle had been fought unsuccessfully was of small importance when weighed against the fact that it been fought at all. Eminent generals, and statesmen of sagacity, in every European Court were profoundly impressed by learning that

1060-599: The American retreat, had his left leg taken off by a cannonball, and died on October 8 at the home of Adam Gotwals. His body was interred with military honors on October 9 at the Mennonite Meetinghouse in Towamencin . Major John White, who was shot at Cliveden, died on October 10. Lieutenant-Colonel William Smith, who was wounded carrying the flag of truce to Cliveden, also died from his wounds. In total, 57 Americans, over one-third of all those killed in

1113-407: The British left outflanked Greene's column. The two militia columns had only succeeded in diverting the attention of the British, and had made no progress before they withdrew. Despite the defeat, France, already impressed by the American success at Saratoga , decided to lend greater aid to the Americans. Howe did not vigorously pursue the defeated Americans, instead turning his attention to clearing

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1166-664: The Manatawny road. Armstrong's Brigade played no further part in the battle. The three remaining American columns continued their advance. One column, under the command of General John Sullivan moved down Germantown Road. A column of New Jersey militia under Brigadier General William Smallwood moved down Skippack Road to Whitemarsh Church Road, and from there to Old York Road to attack the British right. General Nathanael Greene 's column, consisting of Greene's, General Adam Stephen 's divisions and General Alexander McDougall 's brigade, moved down Limekiln Road. A thick fog clouded

1219-680: The New Amsterdam Dutch settlement. When Schenck died on his farm in Amwell Township, he left a sizeable estate. He is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, in what is now Raritan Township , along with his wife, parents and many of his children. His marker reads "In memory of Captain John Schenck, who departed this life August 22, 1823, aged 73 years, 2 months and 27 days." In 1775, Schenck was one of

1272-579: The Queens Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States See also [ edit ] Schack Schank Schenk Shank (disambiguation) Shenk Shanklin Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Schanck . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change

1325-452: The battle of Germantown as by the surrender of Burgoyne . Eight Army National Guard units (103rd Eng Bn, A/1-104th Cav, 109th FA, 111th Inf, 113th Inf , 116th Inf, 175th Inf and 198th Sig Bn ) and one active Regular Army Field Artillery battalion (1-5th FA) are derived from American units that participated in the Battle of Germantown. There are only thirty currently existing units in

1378-410: The battle, died in the attack on Cliveden. British casualties in the battle were 71 killed, 448 wounded and 14 missing; only 24 of whom were Hessians. British officers killed in action include Brigadier General James Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel John Bird. Lieutenant-Colonel William Walcott of the 5th Regiment of Foot was mortally wounded, and later died. Wyck House served as a hospital during

1431-419: The battle. Washington's ambitious plan failed for several factors: Washington had intended for his attack to be a second Trenton . Had everything gone according to plan, Washington may have trapped and destroyed a second major British force. Coupled with Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga , the defeat of Howe at Germantown could have compelled Lord North and the British government to sue for peace. The battle

1484-449: The battle; he had continued to fight with his aide riband wrapped around his arm and his sword in his left and non-dominant hand. Knox positioned four 3-pound cannon out of musket range to bombard the mansion. However, the thick walls of Cliveden withstood the bombardment from the light field guns. The Americans launched a second wave of infantry assaults, all of which were repulsed with heavy losses. The few Americans who managed to get inside

1537-428: The battlefield throughout the day, greatly hampering coordination. The vanguard of Sullivan's column, upon Germantown Road, opened fire upon the British pickets on Mount Airy, just after sunrise at 05:00. The British pickets fired their cannon in alarm, and resisted the American advance. Howe rode forward, thinking they were being attacked by foraging or skirmishing parties, and ordered his men to hold their ground. It took

1590-478: The bulk of his force to Germantown, then an outlying community to the city. Learning of the division, Washington determined to engage the British. His plan called for four separate columns to converge on the British position at Germantown. The two flanking columns were composed of 3,000 militia , while the center-left, under Nathanael Greene , the center-right under John Sullivan , and the reserve under Lord Stirling were made up of regular troops. The ambition behind

1643-594: The defeat at the Brandywine, produced a profound impression upon military critics in Europe. Frederick of Prussia saw that presently, when American soldiers should come to be disciplined veterans, they would become a very formidable instrument in the hands of their great commander; and the French court, in making up its mind that the Americans would prove efficient allies, is said to have been influenced almost as much by

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1696-552: The dragoons by surprise and with their first volley killed the troop's officer, Cornet Francis Geary . Battle of Germantown [REDACTED]   Great Britain [REDACTED]   United States The Battle of Germantown was a major engagement in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War . It was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown , Pennsylvania , between

1749-532: The element of surprise they otherwise enjoyed. The Pennsylvania Militia, led by Brigadier General John Armstrong Sr. , advanced down the Manatawny Road (Ridge Avenue) to the confluence of the Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River . There on the cliffs opposite General Knyphausen 's Hessian encampment, the militia set up their artillery and began a desultory fire until withdrawing back up

1802-454: The enemy attack. One British officer later described the number of attacking Americans as "overwhelming". Cut off from the main force, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Musgrave , of the British 40th Regiment of Foot, ordered his six companies of troops, around 120 men, to barricade and fortify the stone house of Pennsylvania Chief Justice Benjamin Chew , called Cliveden . The American troops launched

1855-409: The face of resistance from Greene's infantry, Wayne's artillery, and a detachment of dragoons, as well as the coming of the night. On October 6, there was a brief cease-fire. A little terrier that was identified from its collar as belonging to General Howe was formally transferred from Washington's camp to Howe's under a flag of truce. The little terrier that had been found wandering on the battlefield

1908-690: The first residents of Hunterdon County to volunteer to serve as a Minuteman in the months following the Battles of Lexington and Concord . He first served as a lieutenant and then was elected a captain of what was to become a company of the 3rd Regiment Hunterdon Militia. In eight years of service with the Militia, Captain Schenck fought in most of the major battles of the War in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He

1961-582: The fog, causing both to flee. The withdrawal of Wayne's New Jersey Brigade, having suffered heavy losses attacking Cliveden, left Conway's right flank exposed. To the north, an American column led by McDougall came under attack by the Loyalist troops of the Queen's Rangers, and the Guards of the British reserve. After a brutal contest, McDougall's brigade was forced to retreat, having suffered heavy losses. Despite

2014-418: The fog. Sullivan deployed Brigadier General Thomas Conway 's brigade to the right, and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne 's brigade to the left before advancing on the British center-left. The 1st and 2nd Maryland Brigades of Sullivan's column paused frequently to fire volleys into the fog. While the tactic was effective in suppressing enemy opposition, his troops rapidly ran low on ammunition. Wayne's brigade to

2067-510: The front steps of Cliveden, however, Laurens was under a barrage of gunfire and supposedly wounded a second time by a bayonet in his left side. Major White was shot and later pronounced dead. Both men were forced from the door and the Chevalier de Mauduit convinced Laurens to cease his fighting before he later was moved to have a surgeon see to his wounds. Prior to Maxwell's futile attack against Cliveden, Sullivan's division advanced beyond in

2120-417: The house. He took the idea and, according Gregory Massey's biography, he sent men to gather firewood to pile at the door. Once enough had gathered, Laurens and Marshall began to command the attack of charging to the front steps, dropping the firewood, and in groups, rushing to set fire to the wood. Laurens himself was sent forward with a torch with his companion, Major John White. The fire did not catch. While on

2173-496: The left of the road moved ahead, and became precariously separated from Sullivan's main line. As the Americans launched their attack on Cliveden, Wayne's brigade heard the disquieting racket from Knox's artillery pieces to their rear. To their right, the firing from Sullivan's men died down as the Marylanders ran low on ammunition. Wayne's men began to panic in their apparent isolation, and so he ordered them to fall back. Sullivan

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2226-422: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Schanck&oldid=720361575 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with surname-holder lists Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages John Schanck Schenck

2279-408: The main British camp was, subsequently, unaware of the American advance. For the Americans, it seemed their attempt to repeat their victory at Trenton was on the road to success. However, the darkness made communications between the American columns extremely difficult, and progress was far slower than expected. At dawn, most of the American forces had fallen too short of their intended positions, losing

2332-547: The main army's defeat and withdrawal, realized he stood alone against Howe's entire army, and so withdrew. The primary attacks on the British and Hessian camp had all been repulsed with heavy casualties. Washington ordered Armstrong and Smallwood's men to withdraw. Maxwell's brigade, still having failed to capture Cliveden, was forced to fall back. Howe ordered a pursuit, harrying the retreating Americans for some 9 miles (14 km), though he did not follow up on his victory. The pursuing British forces were finally forced to retire in

2385-475: The mansion were shot or bayoneted. It was becoming clear to the Americans that Cliveden was not going to be taken easily. Among this assault was Lieutenant John Marshall of the Virginia Line, the future Chief Justice of the United States , who was wounded during the attack. Before completely disregarding the notion of taking Cliveden, Laurens was offered the idea of burning or smoking the British out of

2438-399: The mansion, Sullivan's wing became dispirited, running low on ammunition and hearing cannon fire behind them. As they withdrew, Anthony Wayne 's division collided with part of Greene's late-arriving wing in the fog. Mistaking each other for the enemy, they opened fire, and both units retreated. Meanwhile, Greene's left-center column threw back the British right. With Sullivan's column repulsed,

2491-403: The plan was to surprise and destroy the British force, much in the same way as Washington had surprised and decisively defeated the Hessians at Trenton . In Germantown, Howe had his light infantry and the 40th Foot spread across his front as pickets . In the main camp, Wilhelm von Knyphausen commanded the British left, while Howe himself personally led the British right. A heavy fog caused

2544-595: The reversal in fortune, the Continentals were still convinced of a possible victory. The 9th Virginia Regiment of Greene's column launched a determined attack on the British lines as planned, managing to break through and capturing a number of prisoners. However, they were soon surrounded by two arriving British brigades under Cornwallis. Cornwallis then launched a counter-charge, cutting off the Virginians completely, forcing them to surrender. Greene, upon learning of

2597-482: Was a victory for the British, but the long-term strategic consequences favored the Americans. Howe had, once again, failed to follow up on his success and allowed Washington to escape with his army, leading to their encampment at Valley Forge. The battle in particular made a strong impression upon the French court that the Americans would prove worthy allies. Sir George Otto Trevelyan , in Volume IV of his History of

2650-547: Was at the battles of Monmouth , Trenton , the Second Battle of Trenton (where he took command of another 3rd Regiment company after its lieutenants deserted and its captain fell sick), Princeton (where a cannonball took away a tree branch he had stooped to pass under), Bound Brook and Germantown . Captain Schenck is best remembered by the residents of Hunterdon County for a small skirmish (the Ambush of Geary , as it

2703-444: Was born in the now-defunct Amwell Township , Hunterdon County, New Jersey on May 26, 1750, the son of Gerret Roelofse Schenck (1719–1794) and Marytje van Sicklen (1722–1778). His ancestors were early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam who had moved into New Jersey in the 1690s. In 1770, Schenck married Aida Sutphen (1754–1818), daughter of Aert Sutphen (1718–1798) and Jannetje Van Mater (1724-aft. 1798), whose ancestors were also part of

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2756-466: Was brought to Washington, who had the dog fed, cleaned and brushed before being returned to Howe. Of the 11,000 men Washington led into battle, 30 officers and 122 men were killed, and 117 officers and 404 men were wounded. According to a Hessian staff officer, some 438 had been taken prisoner by the British, including Colonel George Mathews and the entire 9th Virginia Regiment . Brigadier General Francis Nash , whose North Carolina brigade covered

2809-421: Was subsequently forced back, although the regiments fought a stubborn rear-guard action. Since the British units pursuing them were redirected to fight Greene's column, Sullivan's men fell back in good order. Meanwhile, Nathanael Greene's column on Limekiln Road had finally caught up with the bulk of the Americans at Germantown. Greene's vanguard engaged the British pickets at Luken's Mill, driving them back after

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