Kips Bay and the Disastrous Retreat from New York
Around midday on Sunday, September 15, 1776, British and Hessian troops invaded Manhattan Island and sent the American troops running helter-skelter for safety.
First, several British ships anchored close to the island and fiercely bombarded the American fortifications along the shore of Kips Bay. Soon the American troops abandoned their trenches and made a panic-stricken, disorganized retreat — a rout, to use the military phrase. Then the British and Hessians, who had come over in boats from Long Island, landed without opposition and started marching across the island to cut off the retreating Americans.
The American commanders had decided on September 12 that it was time to leave the town of New York before they got trapped on the island — which was exactly what the British were trying to do to them now. They had started removing their supplies and equipment, but there was still a lot left. And now, with everybody in a panic, it was too late to save much of anything other than the troops themselves.
A Connecticut chaplain named Philip Vickers Fithian described the day’s events in his diary:
A little before twelve on the East-River began a Cannonade which soon grew to be the heaviest I ever heard; Cannons on a continual roar! — but we are at five Miles Distance. Soon after an Express [rider] came foaming & ordered all the Troops to march downwards as the Enemy has landed — Again the Drums rattle to Arms, to Arms! — We marched down & found the Report true; — But Shame to Connecticut Valour; it is said, & I believe it is true, that two Brigades of Connecticut Militia fled from one hundred & fifty Regulars [i.e., British soldiers]! — Yes, they fled.
His Excellency: the General [Washington] was enraged; It is said he was for a short Time exceeding angry.
Our Brigade by Order of Gen: Mifflin who was present, halted on the Heights on this Side Harlem, & formed. … Our Lads I hope will stand; for the Honour of their State; for the Safety of the Land, & for their own Reputation, I hope they will stand. …
But New-York we have lost this Day; the Enemy entered about three o Clock; & we have abandoned the Works on this Side…
It was a disgrace and a terrible defeat for the Americans, but at least they got away with almost their whole army. They finally collected themselves and dug in at Harlem Heights, rightly expecting a British attack — which came the next day and had a rather different outcome.
Sources
- Manuscript map of British and American troop positions in the New York City region at the time of the Battle of Long Island Aug.-Sept. [?, 1776] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003630407/.
- The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence 1775-1783, ed. John Rhodehamel, 220-21.