Harlem Heights: A Small But Important Victory
Harlem Heights was where the American army pulled together and dug in after their disgraceful retreat from New York. The position was strong enough that George Washington hoped they would be able to hold it against the enemy,
If the Generality of our Troops would behave with tolerable bravery, but experience to my extreme affliction has convinced me that this is rather to be wished for than expected; However I trust, that there are many who will act like men, and shew themselves worthy of the blessings of Freedom.
On September 16, the day after the retreat, British and Hessian troops began approaching the American fortifications at Harlem Heights. One American soldier described the action the next day:
Yesterday morning the Regulars came within half a mile of our lines, and made a stand. A few of our scouts, who were out, attacked and drove them off. In two hours after, two thousand of them returned. General [Rezin] Beall sent out three companies of Riflemen, under the command of Major [Peter] Mantz, who attacked them. Immediately General Washington reinforced with the remainder of our brigade, together with [Colonel George] Weedon’s regiment from Virginia, Major [Thomas] Price’s three independent companies, and one regiment of Rhode-Islanders. Never did troops go to the field with more cheerfulness and alacrity; when there began a heavy fire on both sides. It continued about one hour, when our brave Southern troops dislodged them from their posts. The enemy rallied, and our men beat them the second time. They rallied again; our troops drove them the third time, and were rushing on them, but the enemy had got on an eminence, and our troops were ordered to retreat, the General considering there might be a large number of the enemy behind the hill, concealed; which was the case. We were informed by a prisoner that our men took, there were about eight or ten thousand concealed.
… Major [Andrew] Leitch, of Colonel Weedon’s regiment, received three balls through his belly. More is the pity, for never was a braver hero. He stood the field, with the greatest bravery, till the third shot, when he was obliged to fall. He appears to be in good spirits. The doctors are of opinion he will recover. Colonel [Thomas] Knowlton, from Boston, killed in the field, who distinguished himself at Bunker’s Hill, as well as in this engagement. He will be interred to-day, with all the honours of war.
From our present situation, it is firmly my opinion we shall give them a genteel drubbing, in case the Yankees will fight with as much spirit as the Southern troops.
It was not a major battle, but it gave the Americans a boost in morale; despite their disgrace the day before, they saw that they could stand up to the enemy in the open field after all. As George Washington wrote, “This Affair I am in hopes will be attended with many salutary consequences, as It seems to have greatly inspirited the whole of our Troops.”
Sources
- “From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 September 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-06-02-0251. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 6, 13 August 1776 – 20 October 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase and Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994, pp. 313–317.]
- “Extract of a letter to a gentleman in Annapolis, dated at head-quarters, September 17, 1776.” American Archives, 5th Series, 2:370-71.
- “From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 September 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-06-02-0264. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 6, 13 August 1776 – 20 October 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase and Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994, pp. 331–337.]