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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 2

(x) American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783, Battle of Germantown medal, 45mm, silver-gilt, obverse inscribed 'German Town Octr. 4. 1777' within victory wreath of laurel leaves, reverse a depiction of the battle of Germantown and defence of the Chew House, engravers details 'I. Milton. F.' below, fitted with silver-gilt post-and-ring suspension, very fine and rare

The Germantown Medal was struck on the initiative of the Colonel of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot, who sought to reward those men who participated in the Battle of Germantown and specifically the defence of the Chew House.

On the night of 3 October 1777 American colonial forces under the command of George Washington planned to launch a dawn attack on a British army camped in the vicinity of German Town, a few miles north of Philadelphia. Their advance was discovered by British outposts at 3am on the morning of 4 October and Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave, commanding the 40th Foot, quickly ordered six weak companies to fortify the house of a prominent local citizen, Mr. Chew. Despite repeated assaults, bombardment from American artillery, and even attempts from several of Washington's Aides-de-Camp to set the building on fire, the 40th held the house and played a significant part in the defeat of Washington's force, which later retreated without any of its' objectives being accomplished. It is estimated the garrison of 120 men held the house against attacks from more than 2,000 American troops, and has subsequently been likened to a 'Revolutionary War Rorke's Drift' with immortalisation in paintings and prints.

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Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£1100