Battle of Fort Washington

Battle of Fort Washington

Battle of Fort Washington - Fort Washington and Fort Lee are positioned either side of the River Hudson

This article on  the Battle of Fort Washington provides facts and information about this conflict between the British and American forces during the Revolutionary War:

  • What was the date of the Battle of Fort Washington?
  • Who were the leaders of the Battle of Fort Washington?
  • Where was the Battle of Fort Washington fought, the location of the battlefield?
  • Interesting facts and fast information about the significance of the Battle of Fort Washington
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids about this battle of the American Revolutionary War
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The Battle of Fort Washington: The American Revolutionary War, the soldiers and the famous battles of the conflict

Battle of Fort Washington

Battle of Fort Washington Definition: The Battle of Fort Washington was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The year and date that the Battle of Fort Washington took place on Saturday, November 16, 1776. The battlefield in which the British and American Forces fought during the Battle of Fort Washington was located in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York. The Battle of Fort Washington ended in victory for the British. The American forces under George Washington suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of British General Howe with over 3000 casualties and the loss of cannons and thousands of military supplies and were forced to retreat toward the Delaware River.

British troops crossing the river

British troops crossing the Hudson river  

Overview and Summary of the Battle of Fort Washington
Following the American defeat at the Battle of White Plains in late October, General William Howe chose to forgo a direct assault against the
Continental Army and instead turned his attention to Fort Washington.  General Nathanael Greene was in command of Fort Lee on the Palisades on the New Jersey shore. The Battle of Fort Washington took place on Saturday, November 16, 1776 at Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York. On the crest of Mount Washington was a  5-sided earthwork, called Fort Washington which was the principal fortification within the American lines, and was commanded by Colonel Robert Mcgaw. It was 230 feet above tide-water and 34 great guns.  Old ships had been sunk in the river near the forts to provide obstacles to the British Navy. General Nathanael Greene was confident that Fort Washington would hold against the British and advised General Washington accordingly. He was wrong. An American deserter named William Demont provided the British with details of the American defenses and plans of the fort. Three British ships sailed up the Hudson, slipped by the forts and avoided the sunken wrecks. British troops in the surrounding hills opened cannon fire on the fort and its outlying installations. Many Americans sought refuge in Fort Washington. Then Colonel Johann Rall, leading the Hessians, scaled the north wall of the fort. Colonel Mcgaw knew that the battle was lost and had no alternative but to surrender. The British had previously threatened that no quarter would be given to any survivors of the battle - but they did not carry out their threat. Nearly 3000 American soldiers were captured. 43 cannon and vital supplies were taken by the British. Three days after the fall of Fort Washington, Fort Lee was abandoned. The defeat at the Battle of Fort Washington dealt a crushing blow to the American cause but would fight again at the Battle of Trenton.

The Importance and Significance of the Battle of Fort Washington
Significance of the Battle of Fort Washington: The significance of the conflict was that the Continental Army suffered 3000 casualties together with the loss of cannons and thousands of military supplies. The Americans are  forced to retreat toward the Delaware River. Had the British carried out their threat to show no quarter to the Americans it could have changed the course of the war and led to a British victory.

Facts about the Battle of Fort Washington
Facts about who fought in the Battle of Fort Washington and who were the leaders of the conflict. Facts about where the Battle of Fort Washington was fought, the location of the battlefield. Facts and stats about the number of troops involved in the conflict and the numbers of those who were killed, wounded, missing in action or captured. Interesting history and facts about the Battle of Fort Washington:

Fast Facts about the Battle of Fort Washington
Name of Conflict: Battle of Fort Washington
 
 
Result of the Battle of Fort Washington: The Battle of Fort Washington ended in victory for the British
 
 
Location of Battlefield: The battlefield was located in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York
 
 
Date of the Battle of Fort Washington: Saturday, November 16, 1776
 
 
Combatants: The British Army and Hessians fought against the Americans
 
 

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Battle of Fort WashingtonAmerican Colonies British Forces 
Names of Leaders & Commanders:
 
 George Washington
Robert Magaw
General Nathanael Greene
 
 Sir William Howe
Colonel Johann Rall
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Hugh Percy
 
 
Strength of Forces:
 
 8000 3000 
Number of men killed in the Battle of Fort Washington:
 
 84 59 
Number of men wounded:
 
 374 96 
Number of men captured:
 
 0 2837 

The following picture represents some of the early designs of the American flag. The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield and used as a rallying point for troops.


 

 

American Revolutionary war - The Battle of Fort Washington
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), which included the Battle of Fort Washington, was the culmination of the political American Revolution, in which many of the American colonists rejected the legitimacy of the British Parliament to govern the 13 colonies without representation. For additional facts and interesting information about the American Revolutionary war read the following articles:

American Revolutionary Soldiers
Weapons of the Revolutionary War
Redcoats
The Hessians

Battles in the Revolutionary War

Battles in the Revolutionary War - Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Quebec, Battle of Cowpens & Moonlight Battle

The Battle of Fort Washington

  • The year and date of the Battle of Fort Washington

  • Facts, stats and history of the Battle of Fort Washington

  • Fast Facts and info about the Battle of Fort Washington and the Revolutionary War

  • A great history resource for kids

  • Social Studies Homework help for kids on the Battle of Fort Washington

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