Battle of White Plains

A battle in the Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776 at White Plains, New York. British and Hessian forces under Gen. Sir William Howe met American forces under Gen. George Washington after each had spent some days gathering. The Americans were outnumbered and eventually retreated.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

The first military movement after the Battle of Harlem (16 September 1776) came when the British general William Howe moved his army up the East River to cut off General George Washington's communication with New England. His slow advance gave Washington time to move north and take up a strong position on the high north of White Plains, New York. On 28 October Howe sent a detachment to gain Chatterton Hill, but the American general Alexander McDougall gained the hill first and held it until British reinforcements forced a retreat to the village. The British suffered about three hundred casualties, the Americans more than two hundred. On the night of 31 October, Washington withdrew into the hills five miles to the northwest.

Bibliography

Kim, Sung Bok. "The Limits of Politicization in the American Revolution: The Experience of Westchester County, New York." The Journal of American History 80 (1993): 868–889.

Shy, John. A People Numerous and Armed: Reflections on the Military Struggle for American Independence. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.

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 tactical victory Combatants United States Kingdom of Great Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 14,500 men 14,000 men Casualties 300 killed and wounded 313 killed and wounded

New York and New Jersey, 1776–1777 Long Island – Kip's Bay – Harlem Heights – Pell's Point – White Plains – Fort Washington – 1st Trenton – 2nd Trenton – Princeton – Forage War – Bound Brook

Battle of White Plains Historic Site: George Washington's HQ

The Battle of White Plains was an inconclusive meeting on October 28, 1776 in the American Revolutionary War. General William Howe's British army, with Hessian support was completing their occupation of New York and its environs. George Washington had withdrawn to the high ground near the village of White Plains.

The battle is recorded as a British victory because the Füsilier-Regiment von Knyphausen, a German unit, outflanked the American position. However, Howe missed the chance to force a larger engagement that could destroy Washington's army. After taking the high ground, he paused to set up camp and artillery batteries. After spending a few miserable nights on swampy ground, under the British guns, the Americans slipped away to the north on the night of November 1, escaping with their wounded and supplies.

Considering the numbers involved, casualties were light on both sides. The Continental Army lost 300 killed or wounded, while British losses came to about 313. However, Johann Ewald, a Hessian officer who was present at the battle, claimed that Howe underestimated both side's losses, and that there were over 1,000 killed and wounded, implying that both sides may have lost around 500 each.

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.

USS White Plains

Two USS White Plains (CVE-66 and AFS-4) were named for the Battle of White Plains.^[1]

External links

• The Battle of White Plains
• White Plains Historical Society

References

1. ^ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships -- White Plains. Retrieved on 2007-08-11.

New York in the American Revolutionary War

Pre-war: Sons of Liberty 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 – 1783: Newburgh conspiracy – British Evacuate New York – Washington's Farewell to His Officers

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