The Battles of New York |
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No More Playing AroundAfter the British Pyrrhic (costly) victory at Bunker Hill in 1775, British General William Howe decided a lethal blow needed to be delivered to the Patriot cause. Howe proposed to launch an attack on New York City using tens of thousands of troops. He began mobilizing the massive fleet in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, American Commander-in-Chief George Washington had ordered General Charles Lee to prepare for the defense of the city. That June, Howe and 9,000 troops set sail for New York. Howe's army was to be met in the city by additional regiments of German and British troops. Reinforcements from Halifax led by Howe's brother would follow them. Brooklyn HeightsHowe's initial fleet arrived in New York Harbor and began landing troops on Staten Island. On August 27, 1776, British forces engaged the Americans at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights (also called the Battle of Long Island). Howe's army successfully outflanked Washington's, eventually causing the Patriots, after some resistance, to withdraw to Manhattan under the cover of darkness, thereby avoiding a potentially costly siege at the hands of the British.
Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Fort WashingtonAfter failed peace negotiations, the British Army next struck at Lower Manhattan, where 12,000 British troops quickly overtook the city. Most of the Continental Army had retreated to defensible positions at Harlem Heights and then to White Plains, well north of the city, but some soldiers remained at Fort Washington in Manhattan. Howe's army chased Washington and the Continental Army into positions north of White Plains before returning to Manhattan. In Manhattan, Howe set his sights on Fort Washington, the last Patriot stronghold in Manhattan. In the furious, three-pronged attacked, British forces easily took the fort, capturing nearly 3,000 American prisoners and at least 34 cannons in the process. Most of the prisoners were taken to squalid British prison ships where all but 800 or so died of disease or starvation. General Washington, now at Fort Lee, directly across the Hudson River from Fort Washington, witnessed the events that happened. Following the fall of Fort Washington, British forces ferried up the Hudson River in barges toward Fort Lee. Washington ordered the evacuation of the fort's 2,000 soldiers across the Hackensack River at New Bridge Landing. Washington would lead his army clear across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. Learn more about the disaster at Ft. Washington Bleak OutlookFollowing the events in and around New York City, the outlook was bleak for the Continental Army. Morale in the army was extremely low, enlistments were ending, and desertions were commonplace. Even General Washington admitted his army's chances of success were slim. Meanwhile, General Howe ordered his army into their winter quarters that December and established several outposts from New York City south to New Brunswick, New Jersey.
After the costly British win at Bunker Hill in 1775, General William Howe wanted to strike a powerful blow against the Patriots. He planned to attack New York City with tens of thousands of soldiers. Howe started gathering troops and ships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At the same time, American General Charles Lee was preparing to defend the city under orders from George Washington. In June, Howe and 9,000 soldiers sailed for New York, where more German and British reinforcements would meet them. His brother also led more troops from Halifax. Brooklyn HeightsBritish ships arrived in New York Harbor and started landing troops on Staten Island. On August 27, 1776, British and American forces fought in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights (also known as the Battle of Long Island). The British army went around Washington’s troops and outflanked them. After some fighting, the Americans quietly retreated to Manhattan at night, avoiding a major defeat. Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Fort WashingtonAfter failed peace talks, the British attacked Lower Manhattan. With 12,000 troops, they quickly took control of the area. Most of the American army retreated to Harlem Heights and then to White Plains, but some stayed behind at Fort Washington in Manhattan. Howe chased the Continental Army north, then returned to capture Fort Washington. The British launched a three-sided attack and quickly won, capturing nearly 3,000 American soldiers and 34 cannons. Most of the prisoners were sent to dirty prison ships where many died of disease or starvation. Washington, stationed at Fort Lee across the river, saw the fall of the fort. He quickly ordered an evacuation of Fort Lee's 2,000 troops across the Hackensack River. Washington then led his army across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. Bleak OutlookAfter losing New York and Fort Washington, things looked bad for the Continental Army. Morale was low, enlistments were ending, and many soldiers were deserting. Even George Washington admitted their chances of winning were small. Meanwhile, General Howe put his troops into winter camps in New York City and nearby areas, including New Brunswick, New Jersey. Battle of Brooklyn HeightsHowe's first troops landed on Staten Island. On August 27, 1776, they fought the Americans in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights (also called the Battle of Long Island). The British outflanked Washington’s army, forcing the Patriots to retreat to Manhattan. They escaped under the cover of night, avoiding what could have been a major loss. |
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