Battle of Fort Washington
Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York, USA
What happened
British and German troops under William Howe and Wilhelm Knyphausen attacked the American fort held by Robert Magaw. Fort Washington stood on high ground at the north end of Manhattan. British and Hessian troops attacked from several directions, and the southern and eastern defences gave way quickly. With the fort surrounded, Magaw surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the worst American defeats of the war, with nearly 3,000 captured. Britain tightened its hold on New York Harbor.
What came next
Fort Lee across the river was abandoned three days later, and Washington retreated across New Jersey. His wins at Trenton and Princeton then revived American hopes.
Did you know?
Margaret Corbin took her husband's place at a cannon after he fell and kept firing; she is called the first known woman combatant of the Revolution.
Timeline
- 28 October 1776Battle of White Plains.
- 16 November 1776Fort Washington falls.
- 20 November 1776Fort Lee is abandoned.
- 26 December 1776Washington wins at Trenton.