Battles of the American Revolution
Battle of White Plains, Chatterton's Hill
Date: October 28th, 1776
Between: British against the American Continental Army
Location: White Plains, Chatterton's Hill, New York

Source: Battles of the American Revolution. 1775-1781. Historical and Military Criticism, with Topographical Illustration, Henry B. Carrington, M.A., LL.D., Colonel United States Army, A.S. Barnes & Company, New York, Chicago, New Orleans. 1876

The Continental army led by General George Washington, and the British and Hessian troops, led by General William Howe, confronted each other on October 28th, 1776 at the Battle of White Plains atop Chatterton Hill.

Battle of White Plains
"On the twelfth day of October, 1776, General Howe began the execution of his plan to cut off Washington's army from New England and upper New York, and fasten it to its own lines, for future capture. Unwilling to attempt the costly enterprise of storming the craggy and broken heights, where the whole country was defensive by small parties against superior force, and to force so many successive lines of earthworks and redoubts, he resolved to move from the coast of Long Island Sound, across to the Hudson river where his ships were lying, and also to occupy the entire rear of the American army by this movement. It was a repetition of the movements which gained Brooklyn Heights and New York City. It would also put him in water communication with New York and Staten Island.

"The Guards, Light Infantry, Reserve, and Donop's Hessian corps, were embarked upon large vessels, and were transferred from the city to Frog's Neck, (once known as Throckmorton's, or Throck's Neck) on the same day, in safety. As soon as the landing had been affected, it was found that the tide swept behind the Neck and detached it from the main land, so that even at low tide it would be impossible to transfer the artillery without a bridge. Colonel Hand's American Rifles had already taken up the planks of the bridge which had been built to the Neck; and the causeway which led to the channel was covered by earthworks and the additional regiments of Colonel Graham and Colonel Prescott. Colonel Pepperill was also within supporting distance. One three pounder, under direction of Lieutenant Bryant, and a six pounder, in charge of Lieutenant Jackson, of the artillery, were trained upon the beach. General Howe placed the troops in camp, and awaited reinforcements.

"Lord Percy had been left at McGowan's Pass, with three brigades to cover New York, and the troops at Flushing were ordered to cross at once. By reference to the map, "Operations near New York," the position of the army will be understood.

"On the sixteenth and seventeenth, the First, Second, and Sixth brigades, and the Third Hessian battalion joined from Flushing, and on the eighteenth, the combined commands, including also the grenadiers, were transferred to Pell's Point, thereby turning the position at Westchester, and landing near the mouth of Hutchinson river. This entire country, rough and broken as it was, was also divided, wherever cultivated, by stone walls or fences, as in later times, so that when the army advanced toward New Rochelle, skirmishing became frequent. Colonel Glover with his regiment made so persistent a resistance with a force of seven hundred and fifty men behind one of these walls, as to check the advance guard until it was strongly reinforced, and earned for himself honorable mention in orders.

"On the twenty-first, General Howe advanced his right and centre two miles beyond New Rochelle, where he remained in camp until the twenty-fifth, waiting for still additional reinforcements. General De Heister was left for the same length of time at the camping-ground which Howe had first occupied. During the same week, General Knyphausen arrived from Europe with the Second division of Hessians, the regiment of Waldeckers, one thousand strong, the Sixth foot, and the Third light dragoons.

"These troops were promptly transferred from Staten Island, and landed at Myer's Point on the twenty-second, taking post near New Rochelle. This position secured the base of General Howe's further advance; and, as will be seen by reference to the map, afforded the proper starting point for General Knyphausen's subsequent movement against Fort Washington.

"As soon as General Knyphausen was established, General De Heister moved forward to overtake General Howe, and the army encamped within four miles of White Plains, their fixed objective. On the morning of the twenty-eighth, the army advanced within about a mile of the court-house and village. It had thus moved parallel with the river Bronx, over a distance of at least thirty miles of rough country, and was now ready to wheel to the left, cross to the Hudson, and cut off Washington's retreat, while at the same time excluding supplies for his army from Connecticut on the east. By this date the ships of war had pushed up the Hudson as far as Tarrytown, and from White Plains there was a good road across to that village.

"It had been a difficult and embarrassing march from the first. The Bronx was narrow, but ran along a steep range of hills, thickly wooded, and as thickly set with undergrowth, thorn bushes, and briars. A brief rain storm easily made the stream impassable. There were no roads of even surface, and the American riflemen, now in their element, hung upon the left flank, and watched for opportunity to do mischief. A steady movement in column was impossible, and the officers had to depend entirely upon countrymen for information as to the character of the country and the location of the roads. Very much had been expected of the regiment of cavalry which had just arrived. They were at first a source of terror to new troops. Washington had instructed the men that in a country where stone fences, crags, and ravines were so numerous, the American riflemen needed no better opportunity to pick off the riders and supply the army with horses. A reward of one hundred dollars was offered any soldier who would bring in an armed trooper and his horse. The facts confirmed his judgment, and the cavalry were of very little service during that campaign. On the twenty-second, General Stirling sent Colonel Haslet out with a scouting party, which crossed the Bronx, attacked the Queen's Rangers, a royalist corps under Major Rogers, captured thirty-six, left as many on the field, and carried away sixty muskets. Colonel Hand's regiment also had a skirmish with the Hessian Yagers, near Mamaroneck, with considerable success and credit. Their entire march had been subject to such annoyances and interruptions.

"While the British army thus advanced upon its mission, the American army had abandoned New York Island, leaving a small garrison at Fort Washington, still holding fast to King's Bridge. As soon as the British movement became general and well defined, and the main army reached the northern shore of Long Island Sound, Washington transferred his headquarters to Valentine's Hill, ordered all needed supplies to be forwarded to White Plains, and pushed his own army along the west bank of the Bronx, division by division, establishing earthworks at every prominent point, and making a chain of small posts throughout the whole distance. His object was to crowd the British army toward the coast, and use the shorter interior line, which was at his service, to thwart the plans of General Howe, and place himself in a position to fight his army on favorable ground of his own selection, and at advantage. Time was now an element of real value. Howe gained a fair start on the twelfth of the month, but lost five days at Frog's Neck, and four days more near New Rochelle. Washington already had a depot of Connecticut supplies at White Plains, and prolonged his left toward that point with great vigor, as soon as he found that Howe would not attack from the east, as he had already declined to attack from the south.

"On the twelfth, when first advised of the landing upon Frog's Neck, General Greene, then at Fort Lee, asked authority to cross with the brigades of Nixon, Clinton and Roberdeau, and take part in the coming issue. On the sixteenth Washington called a council of war. The record is given literally, to correct erroneous impressions as to the participants in proceedings which had important bearings upon future operations and responsibility therefore.

"Proceedings Of A Council Of General Officers."

"At a council of war held at the head-quarters of General Lee, October 16th, 1776: Present, His Excellency, General Washington. Major Generals Lee, Putnam, Heath, Spencer, Sullivan, Brigadier Generals Lord Stirling, Mifflin, McDougall, Parsons, Nixon, Wadsworth, Scott, Fellows, Clinton, and Lincoln. Colonel Knox, commanding artillery."

"The General read sundry letters from the convention and particular members, of the turbulence of the disaffected in the upper part of the State: and also sundry accounts of deserters showing the enemy's intention to surround us."

"After much consideration and debate the following question was stated; whether, (it having appeared that the obstructions in the North river have proved insufficient and that the enemy's whole force were in our rear, on Frog's Point) it is now deemed possible in our situation to prevent the enemy cutting off the communications with the country and compelling us to fight them at discretion."

"Agreed; with but one dissenting voice (viz., General Clinton) that it is not possible to prevent the communication "being cut off? " and that one of the consequences mentioned in the question must certainly follow."

"Agreed; that Fort Washington be retained as long as possible."

"Lee joined on the fourteenth, only two days before the council, and was assigned to the command of the grand division at Kingsbridge, with instructions to assume no direction in affairs, or active duty, until he should become acquainted with the existing arrangements and relations of that post.

"Just before crossing the river to report for duty he wrote the following letter to General Gates:

"Fort Constitution, October 14, 1776. "My Dear Gates—I write this scroll in a hurry. Colonel Wood will describe the position of our army, which in my breast I do not approve. Inter nos, the Congress seem to stumble every step. I do not mean one or two cattle, but the whole stable. I have been very free in delivering my opinion to 'em. In my opinion General Washington is much to blame in not menacing 'em with resignation, unless they refrain from unhinging the army by their absurd interference.

"The familiarity between these officers, it will be remembered, was entirely consistent with their intimacy before the war, and that both had been officers in the British army. This letter, however, in connection with subsequent correspondence, will have special value in determining the military subordination and personal discipline of the two men.

"Several embarrassments attended the American movement at first. The conspiracy referred to, before the council, Tryon county and vicinity, was deemed of sufficient importance for a detail to watch the disaffected districts, but a more serious matter was the want of flour. Washington at once importuned Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, whose resources seemed as exhaustless as his patriotism and wisdom, to send a supply to White Plains, and it was sent.

"On the twenty-second of October, while General Howe, for the second time, was "awaiting reinforcements," two miles above New Rochelle, General Heath's advance division made a night march, reached Chatterton Hill at daylight, and in the afternoon were engaged in strengthening the defenses at White Plains. General Sullivan's division arrived the next night, and General Lord Stirling immediately after. On the twenty-third Washington established his head-quarters at the same place. On the twenty-sixth Lee's Grand Division joined Washington, and the entire American army was awaiting General Howe's advance, behind rapidly augmenting breastworks, on eligible ground for defense.

"Washington's position was not intrinsically the best for final defense; but he had selected an ultimate position, which fulfilled all the conditions of a possible retreat from the first. His left was protected by low ground, only accessible with difficulty. His right was met by a bend of the river Bronx, and while one line of earthworks was in front of and controlled the upper Connecticut road, the two successive lines to the rear were upon a gradual ascent very capable of vigorous defense. He also controlled the roads that led westward to the Hudson river. Somewhat advanced, and hardly a mile to the southwest, Chatterton's Hill was occupied by Haslet's regiment, supported by General McDougall's brigade, which contained two of the most reliable regiments in the army. Behind the interior line of the American encampment was still higher ground, entirely commanding the passes through the hill by the Peekskill and upper Tarrytown roads.

"General Lee criticised the position taken by the army on his arrival, but the strategic considerations which seem to have induced Washington to have taken his ground, in confidence that he had a secure ultimate defense in case of failure to maintain the first, were sound, and realized his purpose. It is to be especially noted that Washington, superior in numbers to his adversary, was in a situation and in one of his moods when he courted battle, and adopted the best course to invite attack.

"On the twenty-eighth of October the armies thus confronted each other.

"It will be noticed that a direct advance upon Washington's lines would subject General Howe's army to an attack upon their left flank or rear, unless the force on Chatterton's Hill should be first dislodged. And yet the difficulties of a descent from the hill would have weakened such a movement, and made it fruitless, if he had concentrated his army and broken Washington's centre. General Clinton would undoubtedly have made the attack. General Howe placed General Leslie in command of a division, with orders to dislodge the Americans and occupy Chatterton's Hill. This divided his force, and left the main body passive spectators of the movement. The division consisted of the second British brigade, Donop's Hessian grenadiers, the Hessian regiment Lossberg, and Colonel Rahl's Hessians, making a total force, according to General Howe's official report, of four thousand men, or very nearly one-third of the army. At the time of this detail, General Howe's army was superior in numbers to that in his immediate front, because of the occupation of the hill by the American extreme right.

"The troops crossed the river Bronx with some difficulty, and then had to climb a difficult ascent. The British superiority in artillery was more than compensated by the American position, and artillery was of little practical value. Captain Alexander Hamilton served two light guns at the centre, and as the British brigade crossed the Bronx and ascended the hill he delivered effective fire; and Smallwood's regiment supported by Ritzema's, made two successful charges down the hill and checked the advance. To spectators at White Plains, it appeared as if a final and complete repulse had been achieved. At this crisis, Colonel Rahl, by a sudden and well pressed movement to the left, reached and turned the American right flank and stood upon the summit, while Donop boldly charged up the face of the hill to the left of the British brigade. The American troops overwhelmed by this attack, fell back to a second position on the right of the army, and General Leslie could not pursue without throwing himself in the rear of Washington, or at least exposing himself to be entirely cut off from General Howe.

"Haslet's Delaware, and Smallwood's Maryland had again confirmed their reputation, and with Brooks' Massachusetts, Webb's Connecticut, and Ritzema's New York had fought with commendable spirit, and as long as consistent with safety for themselves and the American right wing. General Putnam had been sent to their support as soon as the affair appeared doubtful, but was too late to redeem the contest.

"Colonel Haslet afterwards wrote, that he was first assigned to the command of Chatterton's Hill with his own regiment and a force of militia; that the latter fled, and that three companies of Smallwood's Maryland also retreated precipitately; that General McDougall's command supported him, and was so dangerously placed in his rear, that he was in danger from their fire; that upon his advice General McDougall changed his position. Much is assumed by this officer, which is not supported by other authority. Colonel Graham, who commanded the regiment of New York militia, was tried before a court martial for unnecessarily abandoning two stone fences where he had been placed by Colonel Reed. The position would have had value if properly supported. The evidence was conclusive as to his personal bravery, although some of his officers failed him, and that his retreat was in pretty good order, and was directed by superior authority. Captain Hamilton also brought off his guns in safety.

"Colonel Smallwood was wounded, and forty-six of his regiment were also among the killed and wounded. The total loss was reported at ninety, but Dr. Bird, who visited the hospitals, stated that it was not less than one hundred and twenty. Marshall says, "between three and four hundred." General Howe "estimated the American loss at two hundred and fifty." The returns and contemporaneous letters fix the loss at one hundred and thirty. General Howe's report at the close of the year mentions no prisoners as taken between the twelfth and the sixteenth of November; but under the caption "White Plains," enumerates four officers and thirty-five privates. As this number were taken early on the march, it does not enter into the casualties at Chatterton's Hill.

"The loss of the British brigade was officially reported by General Leslie as one hundred and fifty-four. Lieutenant-colonel Carr, of the Thirty-fifth, Captain Goar of the Forty-ninth, and Deming of the Twenty-eighth regiments were among the killed. The Hessian loss increased the total casualties of the command to two hundred and thirty-one.

"The heaviest portion of this loss was incurred in the attempt to scale the cliff, just after crossing the river.

"On the twenty-ninth the armies rested. General Howe, "waited for reinforcements." Washington removed his sick to better quarters and prepared to move to his selected ultimate place of resistance. On the thirtieth, Lord Percy arrived with the third brigade and two battalions of the fourth brigade, and the next day was designated for an assault in force. The day was stormy, and for twenty hours the rain and wind suspended the movement. Batteries were planted, however, for a subsequent advance, "weather permitting!'

"During that night Washington retired nearly five miles, to North Castle Heights, from which he could not be dislodged by the entire British force, and the "Battle of White Plains," had been fought at Chatterton Hill.

"The Court-house at White Plains was subsequently burned by lawless Americans, for which the British troops were in no way responsible. Washington burned his excess of forage, and stores that could not be removed, and in a prompt order thus denounced the burning of the public buildings:

"It is with the utmost astonishment and abhorrence, the general is informed, that some base and cowardly wretches have, last night (November 5th) set fire to the Court house and other buildings which the enemy left. The army may rely on it, that they shall be brought to justice, and meet with the punishment they deserve."

"The horrors of civil war began to develop fruit. The soldiers plundered towns, and the British took without discrimination of persons, what they wanted. Citizens became alarmed, and infinite issues were involved in the integrity and faithfulness of Congress and its defenders."

Battle of White Plains - Aftermath
"With the loss of Chatterton's Hill, General George Washington concluded that his position was untenable and elected to retreat to the north. Although General William Howe had won a victory, he was unable to immediately follow up his success due to heavy rains over the next day few days. When the British advanced on November 1, they found the American lines empty." The Battle of White Plains is considered a British victory although they suffered losses of 42 killed and 182 wounded. The Americans suffered 28 killed and 126 wounded.

It is difficult to know the correct number of casualties, wounded, and missing since different historical accounts report different statistics for losses among the armies.

For another historical view of the history of the American Revolution in Westchester County, read Battle of White Plains.

Sources
Our country. A household history for all readers, from the discovery of America to the one hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. By Benson J. Lossing 1813-1891.