1776 – New York
“These are the times that try
men’s souls…”
- Thomas Paine from “The Crisis”
British Land in New York
British evacuate Boston in March
1776
General William Howe landed on
Staten Island July 3, 1776
– Began amassing troops for attack
32,000 troops
– 9,000 Hessian (German
Mercenaries)
– Largest expeditionary force
ever sent by any nation
– Philadelphia’s pop was 30,000
(largest US city)
400 ships
Why New York?
– Centrally Located
Could cut off New England from
the South
– Better port system
British could utilize their superior
naval power
– Access to Hudson River and
Canada
– More Tories than in Boston
Washington’s Dilemma
Washington was
unsure where the
British would strike –
Long Island or New
York City
– Would divide his
troops between Long
and Manhattan Island
Breaking a cardinal rule
of war
Battle of Brooklyn
(Battle of Long Island)
August 27, 1776
– First major battle after the Declaration of Independence
Washington and his 9,000 troops under Israel Putnam dug in on
Brooklyn Heights
Howe would invade Long Island with 20,000
– Largest battle of war
Howe would outflank the Americans by sneaking through Brooklyn
Heights using “Jamaica Pass”
– British get behind Americans and drive them West
Other British and Hessian forces push Washington up against bank
of East River
Howe decides not to immediately finish the job, gives his troops a
rest, and plans to capture Washington later
– leaving Washington the option of retreat
Casualties: 1719 American, 377 British
Map of Long Island, Battle of Brooklyn
Washington’s Retreat Across the
East River
Washington is fearful of
British advancing up the
East river and trapping
his army on Long Island
Designs a midnight
retreat across the East
river to Manhattan Island
–
–
–
–
Under cover of night
Complete silence
Approx. 10 hours
Transported cannon,
horses, 9,000 men, etc.
A morning fog settled
concealing the last troops
across the river
Washington’s Retreat
Washington was again unsure of where Howe
would land on Manhattan Island
Fearful of getting trapped on the Island,
Washington takes most of his troops over the
King’s Bridge
– Leaves Putnam behind with 4,000 troops to cover
retreat
– Putnam’s troops are able to muster a victory at
Harlem Heights, but retreat shortly after
Howe’s forces dominate New York
– Victories at White Plains, Fort Washington
Fort Washington was the last American stronghold in
New York
– Lost guns, cannon, ammo
Washington knows that he doesn’t necessarily
have to beat the British on the battlefield, he just
can’t surrender
– As long as he lives to fight another day, the
Revolution survives
Britain would lose men, supplies, $ and eventually tire
of fighting
Aftermath
Fort Washington would complete Howe’s
conquest of New York
Americans would loose valuable cannon,
powder, soldiers, etc. with loss of forts
Sunk morale
Enlistments soon to expire
Washington would retreat
into New Jersey
Nathan Hale
Captain in CT militia
Would volunteer to go into
New York City to gather info
on British movements in New
York (Sept. 1776)
Dressed as Dutch school
teacher
Discovered by a British agent
pretending to be Patriot
Would be hanged
Famous Quote
– “I only regret, that I have but
one life to lose for my country.”
Nathan Hale statue outside the
Chicago Tribune Tower
New Jersey
Things would go from
bad to worse…
– 2000 soldiers left
when enlistments
expired on 12/1/76
– Hundreds of deserters
– Washington retreated
past Princeton,
Trenton and crossed
Delaware River into
Pennsylvania on 12/7
– Congress evacuated
Philadelphia - to
Baltimore
Colonial Karma
Colonial army retreated from New
Jersey in two sections to meet up in
Pennsylvania
– Colonial General Charles Lee would tarry
with his 7,000 men in retreat
In light of Washington’s latest defeats, Lee felt
that he should lead the army
– Lee had the most impressive credentials in the
Continental Army
– Began a letter writing campaign to congress to
try and gain support
Lee had left his men at camp to sleep in hotel
– captured on 12/13 at his hotel in his bathrobe
– Less than ½ of his troops would rejoin
Washington in Pennsylvania
A Stroke of Luck
On December 13th, Howe called for an
end of the campaign for the season
– Howe set up outposts along NY & NJ to hold
territory won in the campaign
The rest of the American army would
make their way to Pennsylvania to rejoin
Washington (now 7,500 total)
Thomas Paine writes “The Crisis”
Thomas Paine Statue in
Bordentown, NJ
– Author of Common Sense, Paine had joined
the Army
– 50 page pamphlet inspires Americans in their
darkest hour
– Justifies the American cause and calls for
American heroism
– Washington has it read to his troops
“Victory or Death” – The Christmas
Campaign
Washington would learn that approx. 1,200
Hessians were holding Trenton, NJ and decided
to strike
On Christmas night, in a severe snowstorm,
Washington ferried his men across the icy
Delaware just north of town
– By 3am all (2,400) were wet, cold, tired, and
across
2 soldiers froze to death - only American
deaths
Washington’s Crossing of the
Delaware
Battle of Trenton
Attack would begin around 9am
Hessians caught by surprise
The Americans surrounded town and would take
it in 45 min
– 21 Hessians killed, 90 wounded, 900 prisoner
7 American casualties
– A complete victory
– Returned to the PA camp
♠
“Capture of the Hessians at Trenton” by John Trumbull, as
featured on the cover of David McCullough’s 1776
Reaction
HUGE morale boost for Americans
– Newspapers around the colonies would boast of the
brilliant victory
– Washington would convince over ½ of men to stay
after their enlistment expired
Howe sends General Cornwallis with 8,000 men
to retake Trenton
– Would leave 2,500 in Princeton and take the rest to
Trenton (5,500)
British come to retake Trenton
Washington positioned his forces on the outside
of Trenton across a small creek
Cornwallis and his men arrived on Jan. 2, 1777
and easily retook lightly defended Trenton
Decided to wait until morning to cross the creek
and attack Washington’s forces
Washington and 5,500 men snuck away in
the night and swept around to attack rear
guard in Princeton
Princeton
On the morning of Jan 3,
American Forces would meet
the rear guard of the British
in an orchard outside of
Princeton
Took British completely by
surprise
– Thought Americans were
still in Trenton
Fierce fighting ensued and
Americans were driven back
until Washington and
Nathaniel Greene rode up to
rally the troops
– Drove Redcoats out of
town & back towards
Trenton
– British: 278 casualties
American: 98
“Washington Rallying the Americans at the Battle of Princeton”
By William Ranney
Aftermath
After defeat in
Princeton, Howe
decides to
evacuate most of
NJ
– Return to NY
Armies would
retire for winter
Importance
Victories in NJ gave Americans new hope
in their darkest hour
– Could defeat the feared Hessians
– Renewed faith in Washington as leader
– 8,000 new enlistments
Americans treated with greater respect by
British
“Perseverance and spirit
have done wonders in all
ages.”
- General George Washington
“George Washington at the
Battle of Princeton” by
Charles Wilson Peale