Battle of the Revolutionary

WarNEW YORK CITYJuly 3 - November 16 1776

Area: Southern New York and Bergen County, New Jersey

Courtney Bodor

Battle of the Revolutionary

WarNEW YORK CITYBattles in

Campaign: Long Island, Kip’s Bay,Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Fort Washington

Courtney Bodor

Campaign

Series of battles for control of New

York City

Active

campaign

season ended

in January

1777

British held New York for

the rest of the warUsed as a base

for expeditions

against other

targets

November 16, 1776

The Battle of Fort Washington

Location:

Fort Washington

Northernmost tip and highest elevation of Manhattan

Intended to protect the

lower Hudson from

British warships

After the Battle

of White Plains the

British turned back south and decided to take the

forts

“Influential personalities”

General Washingto

n

VSGeneral

Lord How

e

8,000 British and

German troops

2,900 American troops

VS

The main attack was to

be on riflemen by Hessian

troops commanded by

General Von Knyphausen

General Howe

planned three

attacks

Brigadier Lord Percy was to attack from the South up the island

Brigadier Matthews with the light infantry and Guards to cross the Harlem River and attack Baxter on the east side

All the American troops were pinned

in the fort under heavy fire and they

were forced to surrender

British forced the Americans to fall back to Fort Washington

The British and Germans

Winner: 

Casualties 

450 Deaths

320 Hessian

s VS 130 British

+

=2,900 d

eaths,

mostl

y

prisoners

Fort Lee, on the west bank of the Hudson was abandoned

After the battle:

Washington and the Continental Arm retreated to the Delaware

Brunswick, November 18th, 1776.,

DEAR SIR: In consequence of the retreat of the British Army from the White-Plains, General Washington ordered me to march with the van of his Army towards this place. I crossed Hudson' s river in the Highlands with eight regiments of foot, three of which I have left at Rahway and the other five I brought to this place yesterday. The loss of Fort Washington will leave the enemy at leisure to think of other movements, and it is not improbable they may attempt to push through this country towards Philadelphia. I shall therefore take every step which may occur to me as necessary to defeat such a design. The reports that have been circulated of their having embarked a body of men on board of a fleet which sailed a few days ago is without foundation. That fleet consisted of about one hundred and fifty sail of empty transports and store ships, under covoy of Admiral Shuldham in the Bristol, with two frigates. These ships are chiefly bound to Ireland for provisions.

I have no particulars of the loss on either side at Fort Washington, but I have no doubt that the enemy have dearly paid for the possession.

With the highest esteem and regard, I am, your most obedient, humble servant,

STIRLING

To the Honourable John Hancock.

American Archives . Vol. 3. 0750. Print. Ser. 5.

"Battle of Fort Washington." British Battles - Analysing and Documenting British Battles from the Previous Centuries. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://www.britishbattles.com/fort-washington.htm>.

"Fort Washington Park Highlights -Fort Washington Park." New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fortwashingtonpark/highlights/8258>.

"Revolutionary War Campaigns: New York City." The American Revolutionary War. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. <http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/campaigns/1776-newyork.htm>.

Works Cited