Battle of White Plains

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Battle of White Plains Part of the American Revolutionary War Battle of White Plains Historic Site Date October 28, 1776 Location White Plains, New York Result British victory Belligerents Continental Army British Army Hessian Mercenaries Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 13,000 [1] 14,500 [2] Casualties and losses 28 Killed 126 Wounded 16 Captured [3] 42 Killed 182 Wounded 3 Captured [4]

v • d • e New York and New Jersey 1776–1777 Long Island – Kip's Bay – Harlem Heights – Pell's Point – White Plains – Fort Washington – Trenton – Assunpink Creek – Princeton – Forage War – Bound Brook

The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776 in the area surrounding White Plains, New York.

Contents 1 Prelude 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 Legacy 5 External links 6 References

[edit] Prelude

At the end of September 1776, Washington's army held only a small position on the northern tip of Manhattan Island. Howe was determined to outflank the American positions with a landing at Throg's Neck ^[5].

Washington withdrew his main army to White Plains when the British landing began. On the insistence of Congress, a substantial garrison was left to defend Fort Washington. Howe's army followed Washington via New Rochelle and up the Bronx River.

Washington's army halted and fortified their position. On Chatterton's Hill was some 4,000 troops from across New England, the American's strongest position during the battle.

[edit] Battle

Colonel Rahl with two Hessian regiments advanced on a small hill that lay unoccupied beyond Chatterton's Hill on the extreme American right, while the British 2nd Brigade attacked the Americans on Chatterton's Hill supported by two Hessian battalions.

The attack pushed the American troops back from their positions, until the flanking threat from Rahl's troops caused the Americans to withdraw from their positions and join Washington's main army. The British and German troops did not press this attack.

Howe did plan an attack on Washington's centre, but for some reason which currently remains unexplained, Howe did not mount this attack. Washington's army retreated across the Crotton River, leaving the ground in control of the British troops.

[edit] Aftermath

While the battle was a victory for the British, Howe refused to interfere with the American withdrawal, letting slip yet another opportunity to capture Washington and much of the Continental army. However, Howe was able to take advantage of the withdrawal, when he captured Fort Washington, a considerable blow to the colonial cause.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Legacy

Each year on or near the anniversary date, the White Plains Historical Society hosts a commemoration of the event at the Jacob Purdy House in White Plains, New York. Two ships in the United States Navy, CVE-66 and AFS-4, were named for the Battle of White Plains.^[6]

[edit] External links

• The Battle of White Plains
• White Plains Historical Society

[edit] References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/roynagl/whiteplains.htm
4. ^ http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/roynagl/whiteplains.htm
5. ^ [3]
6. ^ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships -- White Plains. Retrieved on 2007-08-11.

v • d • e New York in the American Revolutionary War Pre-war Sons of Liberty 1770 Battle of Golden Hill 1775 Capture of Fort Ticonderoga – Invasion of Canada 1776 New York and New Jersey campaign – Battle of Long Island – New York Prison Ships Begin – Landing at Kip's Bay – Battle of Harlem Heights – Great Fire of New York – Execution of Nathan Hale – Battle of Valcour Island – Battle of Pell's Point – Battle of White Plains – Battle of Fort Washington 1777 Meigs Raid – Saratoga campaign – Battle of Ticonderoga – Battle of Hubbardton – Battle of Fort Ann – Battle of Oriskany – Battle of Saratoga – Battle of Freeman's Farm – Battle of Bemis Heights 1778 Setauket Spy Ring Launched – Battle of Cobleskill – West Point established – Cherry Valley massacre 1779 Battle of Stony Point – Sullivan Expedition – Battle of Newtown 1780 First Purple Heart – André Capture Reveals Traitor Benedict Arnold 1781 HMS Culloden Runs Aground at Montauk – Washington Calls Off Invasion of New York to Support Yorktown 1782 Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh – Newburgh letter – British Evacuate New York – Washington's Farewell to His Officers