Battle of Fort Washington
New York City
November 16, 1776
British victory
In early November 1776, Fort Washington remained the lone Continental Army stronghold on Manhattan. On November 16, British General William Howe launched a successful three-pronged assault on the fort, capturing 2,800 soldiers from the Continental Army. The fall of Fort Washington strengthened the British hold on New York City and marked the final chapter of General George Washington’s New York Campaign.
A view of the Attack against Fort Washington and Rebel Redoubts near New York on the 16 of November 1776 by the British and Hessian Brigades, by Thomas Davies, c. 1776 to 1812. Courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library.
“A Topographical Map of the Northern Part of New York Island, Exhibiting the Plan of Fort Washington.”
Courtesy of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.
The Battle of Fort Washington is commemorated with this monument in Bennett Park in Washington Heights. Nearby, visitors can also explore Fort Washington Park.
Photo courtesy of Equipe C'est N'est Pas Une Pipe as part of the Commons:Wikis Take Manhattan project on October 4, 2008.