Washington had withdrawn his army into the …
Years: 1776 - 1776
November
Washington had withdrawn his army into the hills to the north on the night of October 31, establishing a camp near North Castle.
Howe had chosen not to follow, instead attempting without success to draw Washington out.
On November 5, he had turns his army south to finish evicting Continental Army troops from Manhattan, a task he accomplishes with the November 16 Battle of Fort Washington.
After the Hessians under Knyphausen enter the fort, the American officers attempt to placate the Hessian commander, Captain von Malmburg, who is in charge of the surrender.
They invite him into their barracks, and offer him punch, wine, cake, with compliments.
As they leave the fort, the Hessians strip the American troops of their baggage and beat some of them.
Their officers intervene to prevent further injuries or deaths.
The British capture thirty-four cannons, two howitzers, along with many tents, blankets, tools and much ammunition.
The British and Hessians suffer eighty-four killed and three hundred and seventy-four wounded.
The Americans lose fifty-nine killed, have ninety-six wounded casualties, and two thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight men captured.
Under the usual treatment of prisoners of war in the American Revolutionary War, only eight hundred will survive their captivity to be released eighteen months later in a prisoner exchange; nearly three-quarters of the prisoners will have died.
Howe had chosen not to follow, instead attempting without success to draw Washington out.
On November 5, he had turns his army south to finish evicting Continental Army troops from Manhattan, a task he accomplishes with the November 16 Battle of Fort Washington.
After the Hessians under Knyphausen enter the fort, the American officers attempt to placate the Hessian commander, Captain von Malmburg, who is in charge of the surrender.
They invite him into their barracks, and offer him punch, wine, cake, with compliments.
As they leave the fort, the Hessians strip the American troops of their baggage and beat some of them.
Their officers intervene to prevent further injuries or deaths.
The British capture thirty-four cannons, two howitzers, along with many tents, blankets, tools and much ammunition.
The British and Hessians suffer eighty-four killed and three hundred and seventy-four wounded.
The Americans lose fifty-nine killed, have ninety-six wounded casualties, and two thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight men captured.
Under the usual treatment of prisoners of war in the American Revolutionary War, only eight hundred will survive their captivity to be released eighteen months later in a prisoner exchange; nearly three-quarters of the prisoners will have died.
Locations
People
- Carl von Donop
- George Washington
- Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland
- Johann Rall
- Wilhelm von Knyphausen
- William Howe
Groups
- Hessians
- British people
- Britain, Kingdom of Great
- New Jersey, State of (U.S.A.)
- New York, independent state of
- United States of America (US, USA) (Philadelphia PA)
- Delaware, State of (U.S.A.)
- Americans
- Maryland, State of (U.S.A.)
Topics
- American Revolutionary War, or American War of Independence
- New York and New Jersey campaign
- Fort Washington, Battle of
