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American Revolution - Battle atop Chatterton Hill "Historic Site"


City of White Plains

Westchester County


American Revolution - Battle atop Chatterton Hill "Historic Site"

914-422-1348
 
Battles of the American Revolution
Battle atop Chatterton Hill in White Plains
Date: October 28, 1776
Between: British against the American Continental Army
Location: White Plains, New York

Battle-Whitney Park is a historical landmark in White Plains. This park commemorates the Battle of White Plains and the historic event that occurred on this site on October 28, 1776.

    "Following their occupation of Manhattan Island, British forces under General William Howe chased George Washington’s retreating Continental Army into Westchester County. Washington’s troops amassed atop Chatterton Hill and other heights near White Plains, where the British and their Hessian auxiliaries attacked them on October 28, 1776. Although Howe was credited with a victory because Washington eventually withdrew, he allowed the Americans to retreat into New Jersey."

    Signage at Site
    Interpretive sign in Battle-Whitney Park, atop Chatterton Hill, recount the battle.

    "During the Battle of White Plains, the Americans under General Washington were forced off Chatterton's Hill after inflicting heavy casualties on British troops, checking their advance into Westchester."

    Historic Account of Battle of White Plains on Chatterton's Hill

    "Chatterton's Hill, where the battle was fought, sixteen hundred Americans being engaged, is a commanding eminence west of the Bronx River, about a mile from White Plains. Washington's head-quarters, at the "Miller House," were to the north of the village, and east of that stream, the main body of the army being intrenched (entrenched) two miles beyond."

    Wednesday, October 30
    "At White Plains: Visits the several posts of the army. On the night of the 31st of October, General Washington withdrew his army to a very strong position upon the heights of North Castle, about two miles in the rear of his first encampment, and five from White Plains, where he caused new works of defense to be thrown up.

    Wednesday, November 6
    "At White Plains: "Yesterday morning the enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the several posts they had taken in our front. They broke up their whole encampments the preceding night and have advanced towards Kingsbridge and the North River. . . In consequence of this movement I called a council of general officers to-day to consult on such measures as should be adopted in case they pursued their retreat to New York."— Washington to the President of Congress.

    "The council agreed unanimously, that, in case the enemy were retreating towards New York, it would be proper immediately to throw a body of troops into Jersey; that those raised on the west side of Hudson's River should be detached for this purpose, and that three thousand men should bo stationed at Peekskill and the passes of the Highlands.

    Sunday, November 10
    "At White Plains: "The late movement of the Enemy, and the probability of their having designs upon the Jerseys, (confirmed by sundry accounts from deserters and prisoners), rendering it necessary to throw a body of troops over the North River, I shall immediately follow, and the command of the army, which remains, (after General Heath's division marches to Peekskill,) will devolve upon you." - Washington to General Lee.

    "Washington left White Plains at eleven o'clock on the morning of November 10, and arrived at Peekskill, the entrance to the Highlands, at sunset.

    Sunday, November 11
    "At Peekskill, New York: "November 11th.—The Commander in Chief directed our General [Heath] to attend him in taking a view of Fort Montgomery, and the other works up the river. Lord Sterling, Generals James and George Clinton, Gen. Mifflin and others were of the company. They went as far up the river as Constitution Island, which is opposite to West-Point, the latter of which was not then taken possession of; but the glance of the eye at it, without going on shore, evinced that this post was not to be neglected. There was a small work and a block house on Constitution Island. Fort Montgomery was in considerable forwardness."—Heath's Memoirs."

    Source: "Itinerary of General Washington, From June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783" by William S. Baker, J. B. Lippincott company, 1892.

Visit more historic sites in the Hudson Valley and learn about the Battle of Fort Montgomery in Bear Mountain.

Learn more about the Battle of White Plains in Westchester County.


Location: White Plains

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