Cornwallis, with four regiments of grenadiers, occupied Philadelphia.
The immediate object of General Howe being the removal of the
obstructions in the river, Colonel Stirling, with two regiments, had
been detached to take possession of the fort at Billingsport, which he
accomplished without opposition. This service being effected, and the
works facing the water destroyed, Colonel Stirling was directed to
escort a convoy of provisions from Chester to Philadelphia. Some
apprehensions being entertained for the safety of this convoy, another
regiment was detached from Germantown, with directions to join Colonel
Stirling.

This division of the British force appeared to Washington to furnish a
fair opportunity to engage Sir William Howe with advantage. Determining
to avail himself of it, he formed a plan for surprising the camp at
Germantown. This plan consisted, in its general outline, of a night
march and double attack, consentaneously made, on both flanks of the
enemy's right wing, while a demonstration, or attack, as circumstances
should render proper, was to be directed on the western flank of his
left wing. With these orders and objects the American army began its
march from Skippack creek at 7 o'clock in the evening of the 3d of
October (1777), in two columns--the right, under Sullivan and Wayne,
taking the Chestnut Hill road, followed by Stirling's division in
reserve; the left, composed of the divisions of Greene and Stephen,
with M'Dougal's brigade and 1,400 Maryland and Jersey militia taking
the Limekiln and old York roads, while Armstrong's Pennsylvania militia
advanced by the Ridge road. Washington accompanied the right wing, and
at dawn of day, next morning, attacked the royal army. After a smart
conflict he drove in the advance guard, which was stationed at the head
of the village, and with his army divided into five columns prosecuted
the attack, but Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave, of the Fortieth regiment,