New York City in the Revolution

New Amsterdam became an English colony in 1674 under the treaty of Westminster. England renamed the colony New York in honor of the Duke of York, the King’s brother.  The New York colonists were never peaceful subjects of England.  

Rebellion in all thirteen colonies grew stronger in the 1700’s.  In 1775, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia named George Washington Commander in Chief of a Continental Army to fight for the rights of the colonists.  In May of 1776, Washington moved his army down to New York from Boston.

The following  is a description of the battles fought in the New York City area. 

1.   Morris-Jumel Mansion:  George Washington established his headquarters here.

2.   English Camp:  In early July of 1776, the first British expedition reached Sandy Hook.  British Commander Howe set up the British camp on Staten Island.

3.   Bowling Green:  On July 9, 1776, a crowd of Americans climbed, toppled, and smashed into pieces the huge statue of King George III in Bowling Green.  Pieces were carted off and melted down for bullets.

4.   Gravesend Bay:  On August 22, 1776, Howe landed 20,000 men at Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn.  He moved them there from the main camp on Staten Island.

5.   Battle of Long Island:  This battle occurred on August 28. Americans were caught between Prospect Park and the intersection of Fulton and Flatbush Avenues in Brooklyn.  1,300 Americans were captured, killed, or wounded.

6.   Brooklyn Heights:  The Americans retreated back to Brooklyn Heights.  The British were sure they had them totally pinned down.  On the night of August 27, using every small boat available, Washington had the entire army ferried across the East River to lower Manhattan. When dawn came, the British were most surprised.

7.   Kips Bay:  On September 15, Howe sailed up the East River to Kips Bay (the foot of present-day 34th Street) and landed 4,000 British and Hessian soldiers on Manhattan.  The Americans attempted to protect the shoreline and then fled. 

8.   Washington Stops Fleeing Troops:  Washington raced south from Harlem Heights and met 2 brigades of troops where 42nd Street is today.  He attempted to get them to make a stand against the British.  However, the men fled in terror.  This was one of the few times Washington showed an outburst of temper.  Americans retreated back up to Harlem Heights. 

9.   Harlem Heights:  On September 16, the American army fought the British at Harlem Heights.  The British soldiers retreated.

10. Throgs Neck:  In mid-October, Howe landed on Throgs Neck in the Bronx in an attempt to come around behind Washington.  Washington moved his troops up the West Side of the Bronx River to White Pains, and the Battle of White Plains followed.  After the British retire from White Plains, they returned to Manhattan to attack Fort Washington.  Washington divides his army leaving half to protect Westchester and leads the other half west to cross the Hudson River into New Jersey from Verplanck’s Point.

 11. Benett Park: Three thousand men were left at Fort Washington (183rd street, overlooking the Hudson-Benett Park today).  On November 15, Howe sent 30 boats up the Harlem River and ordered the surrender of the fort.  The Americans refused and the British attacked.  The Americans were all killed or captured.

12. Fort Lee:  British launch a surprise morning attack.  As the Rebels jumped over the back wall, the British came over the front wall capturing the fort, cannons and the rebel’s breakfast.  Rebels then retreat across New Jersey under George Washington’s lead.  After seizing all the rowboats up and down the river for miles, the Rebels then cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania leaving the British with no way of following them. 

13. The British begin an occupation of New York City that lasted 7 years, until

     1783.

New York in 1783

• May 27   Treaty of Peace is signed.

• June 21   the ship bearing the new of the Treat of Peace arrives in New York.
• September 12   All Provincial (Loyalist) Troops embarked.
• October 26   All Loyalist inhabitants embarked and sailed to new lives in Nova Scotia.
• November 16 All Hessians embarked on transport ships. The return to Germany  was delayed by bad weather. 
• November 18 Washington again stays at Van Cortlandt House as final preparations to enter New York City are made. 
• The morning of November 25, British Regular Army Troops evacuate New York, returning to England.
• The afternoon of November 25,  George Washington at its head, the American Army triumphantly marches into New York City and takes possession.