1777 Battle of Edge Hill
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
In an attempt to finally destroy the Continental Army, Gen. Sir William Howe led British and mercenary forces, primarily Hessian, from occupied Philadelphia to attack American troops entrenched here. After a series of engagements, December 5-8, 1777, Howe was unable to dislodge the Americans from their defensive positions along Edge Hill. The campaign ended with Washington’s forces withdrawing to Valley Forge and Howe’s retiring to Philadelphia.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In the tense December of 1777, General Sir William Howe marched British and Hessian troops out of occupied Philadelphia hoping to smash the Continental Army once and for all. Over several days of skirmishing along the heights of Edge Hill, Washington's soldiers held their entrenched ground and refused to be dislodged. Unable to force a decisive battle, Howe pulled back to the city while Washington led his army onward to the hard winter that awaited at Valley Forge.
Why it matters
These probing engagements closed out the 1777 Philadelphia campaign and set the stage for Valley Forge, the crucible where the Continental Army was rebuilt into a force that could win independence.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center11.1 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia11.1 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House11.2 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery11.2 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center11.2 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery11.2 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle9.2 mi away
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir9.3 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge9.8 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo10.1 mi away
- Rocky Steps10.4 mi away
- Philly Gun Range10.5 mi away · North Percy Street
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe11.2 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Dunkin'11.3 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Burger King11.3 mi away
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters11.3 mi away
- Bubble Tea Room11.3 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- 3J's Cafe11.3 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia10.9 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center10.9 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia10.9 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City11.0 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA11.1 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City11.1 mi away · 1100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Gen. Sir William Howe
- · George Washington
Related events
- · Battle of Edge Hill
- · Philadelphia campaign
- · Valley Forge encampment
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Abington Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Abington Township, PA · est. 1992
Founded in 1714, Abington Presbyterian Church stood at the heart of one of Montgomery County's oldest colonial communities, with its adjoining burial ground opening in 1719 and receiving its first recorded interment in 1728. The grounds saw Revolutionary War skirmishing as armies maneuvered across the Philadelphia countryside, and generations of pastors, educators, and war veterans were laid to rest here. The cemetery links Abington to the wider intellectual worlds of Philadelphia and Princeton through the notable clergy and teachers buried within it.
Whitemarsh
Springfield Township, PA · est. 1947
In the autumn of 1777, with Philadelphia fallen to the British, George Washington made the Emlen House his headquarters from early November into December. From this ground his army fought its last engagement of the year, repulsing a British probe on December 5–6 in what became known as the Battle of White Marsh. Days later Washington marched his weary troops to the winter encampment that would test them: Valley Forge.
William Allen (1704-1780)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2009
William Allen was one of colonial America's richest men, and his fortune helped build the institutions of early Philadelphia. He backed construction of the State House, now Independence Hall, and helped found Pennsylvania Hospital and the college that became the University of Pennsylvania. He established Allentown and served as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, but as revolution neared he broke with the patriot cause and remained a Loyalist until his death at his Mount Airy estate.
Battle of Germantown
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1996
On October 4, 1777, the Revolutionary War came to the doorstep of Cliveden, the elegant country home of Pennsylvania Chief Justice Benjamin Chew. A British regiment barricaded itself inside the stone mansion and beat back a determined American assault, and more than seventy men fell on these grounds. Though Washington's army was defeated, the audacity of his coordinated attack impressed European observers.