This article delves into a significant event in United States history – the defense of Fort Washington. Learn more at manhattanyes.com.
Building the Fort
Fort Washington was a defensive fortification located near the northern tip of Manhattan Island, at its highest point. This site was the scene of fierce fighting for American independence in November 1776.
The fort’s construction was planned in June 1776 by U.S. officers: political leader William Heath, Major General Nathanael Greene, Chief of Artillery Henry Knox, and Major General Israel Putnam. This fortification was critical, as it was intended to protect the lower Hudson River from British warships. Under the supervision of American officer Rufus Putnam, construction soon began in earnest.
Initially, special defensive barriers called ‘cheval de frise’ were installed to obstruct vessels on the river. This apparatus featured a portable frame with a series of protruding spikes. It took the Americans over a month to install all these contraptions. Only after this was done did work on the fort itself commence. Fort Washington spanned nearly ten acres (about four hectares), was pentagonal in shape, and boasted five bastions. The walls were constructed with ravelins, which housed openings for cannons. Surrounding the fort, an additional field fortification known as an ‘abatis’ (a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy) was also erected.
The Battle Unfolds
In September 1776, after British forces under General William Howe successfully captured western Long Island, they began their advance on Manhattan. Their progress was temporarily halted by strong American resistance at Harlem Heights. However, by October 27, the British fleet had started moving up the Hudson River. It was during this time that artillery fire from Fort Washington and Fort Lee, under the command of Colonel Robert Magaw, damaged the approaching British ships. This led to an artillery duel between British and American forces, with the Americans having some initial success.
Colonel Robert Magaw, buoyed by these initial successes, felt confident he could hold the fort. However, things didn’t go as planned. On November 2, his adjutant, William Demont, deserted and provided the British command with detailed plans of the fortifications. Seizing this advantage, the British reinforced their attacking numbers to nearly three thousand men.
On November 4, William Howe decided to attack Fort Washington. The plan was a three-pronged assault: from the north, east, and south. Hessian troops under General Wilhelm von Knyphausen led the northern attack. General Hugh Percy commanded Hessian and British forces from the south, and General Charles Cornwallis advanced from the east. Notably, General George Washington had suggested to General Nathanael Greene that the garrison be withdrawn from the fort to avoid casualties. However, Colonel Robert Magaw, convinced he could win, decided against evacuation.
The British attack on Fort Washington began on November 16, 1776. British troops advanced relentlessly. Amphibious landings were made, supported by fire from frigates (military sailing ships). The American western and southern defenses collapsed relatively quickly. The northern side, however, held out longer, engaging in fierce battles against Hessian forces. But soon, this part of the line also gave way, and British troops completely surrounded the fort. In the end, the American defense resulted in nearly three thousand prisoners, around one hundred wounded, and about sixty killed. After this battle, Great Britain controlled all of New York City, eastern New Jersey, and the lower Hudson River. This dominance was temporary, however, as the Continental Army under George Washington eventually went on to defeat the British forces in subsequent campaigns.