First it started to rain, then we got soaked. After that we ran into the building, while the thunder and lightning lasted for hours.

Today, November 16,1776, Fort Washington has been seized by the British. Major General William Howe of the British army had been coordinating the attack since the defeat from the Continental Army led by Commander Chief General George Washington near White Plains. Heavy rains spoiled Major General William Howe’s planned second attack near the White Plains. The Americans were found to be fully entrenched at North Castle Heights. Howe’s goal was to see the complete removal of American troops from Manhattan. His attention then turned to Fort Washington.  Earlier on November 5, 1776 three British vessels passed over the river barricades in the Hudson an anchored. Major General Nathaniel Green, who was in charge of the fort, then notified George Washington about the current status. George Washington was in the process of sending his troops to Westchester county, and was much alarmed by the news. George Washington informed General Greene that it would be his decision to evacuate the fort if he needed to. During the night of November 14 thirty British float boats sailed up the river past Fort Washington undetected by the Americans. The British approached the fort in force in November fifteen. The British now have ship passage to the Hudson, better communication between the island and the country to the North, and now can be connected from Manhattan to Westchester county. There was fifty nine Americans killed, 96mwere wounded, and 2,837 were captured. On the British’s side there were 84 killed and 374 wounded. The battle of Fort Washington should be remembered because of all the lives and equiptment lost in the battle. The Americans are forced to retreat toward the Delewere River. Had the British carried out their threat to show  no quarter to the Americans it could have changed the course of the war and led to a British victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was involved in the Midnight Ride in 1775

Along with Revere and Dawes in Lincoln

Revere was captured by British

Two got away

Samuel Prescott

Carrying a warning

“the red coats are coming”

After that Prescott became a volunteer surgeon

His life ended on a prison ship in 1777