250 Years Ago Today: The Battle of Harlem Heights, When the Fox Hunters Became the Prey

At dawn on September 16, 1776, 250 years ago today, merely 24 hours after the humiliating collapse at Kip’s Bay, General George Washington ordered a reconnaissance patrol toward the British lines near Harlem Heights. Colonel Thomas Knowlton led his Rangers and Connecticut militia into the woods near modern day Morningside Heights. Knowlton was an experienced frontier fighter who had served during the French and Indian War. Around 6:00 a.m., they encountered British Light Infantry near what is now West 106th Street and Riverside Drive. A sharp firefight erupted, and the Americans fell back toward their lines as the British pursued them.

British infantrymen sounded their horns as they chased the Americans. Joseph Reed later recorded that the British had mocked the Americans with the sound. Some historians have suggested they played “Gone Away,” a traditional fox hunting call associated with the end of the hunt. Whatever the exact tune, the message was unmistakable. The British believed they were chasing a beaten enemy.

Washington refused to tolerate another retreat. He rode toward the action himself and, after speaking with Reed, ordered reinforcements forward. Brigadier General John Nixon's New England brigade advanced while Knowlton's Rangers and 3 Virginia companies under Colonel George Weedon were ordered to attack the British right flank.

A brutal, face to face clash erupted as the fighting moved south through the Hollow Way and into a large buckwheat field near present day Columbia University. Knowlton was mortally wounded while directing his men. Major Andrew Leitch was mortally wounded during the fighting, yet the Americans refused to break. Reinforcements continued rushing forward, and roughly 2,000 Americans eventually became involved, driving experienced British Light Infantry and Hessian troops back.

The significance was greater than the ground gained. Washington's army had been battered by defeat after defeat. Men were deserting in large numbers, while those who remained endured poor and unsanitary camp conditions. Harlem Heights gave the demoralized army something it desperately needed: proof that British regulars could be beaten. The fighting continued for more than 2 hours, with American casualties estimated at 25 to 33 killed and 50 to 100 wounded. British losses were estimated at 14 to 16 killed and 70 to 89 wounded, although the true British losses may have been higher because the British were known to underestimated casualties.

By 3:00 p.m., Washington became concerned that his troops were advancing too far and could be overwhelmed by the larger British army. He ordered the Americans back toward their defenses. The next day, Washington directly praised the troops for their conduct and the contrast with the previous day's rout. He told his officers and men to “act up to the noble cause in which they are engaged, and to support the Honor and Liberties of their Country.” 

The victory at Harlem Heights yielded little geographic gain. New York remained in British hands, and Washington's army would soon retreat north toward White Plains. But after weeks of defeats, desertions and collapsing morale, the battle gave the Continental Army something territory could not provide: confidence. British regulars had pursued them expecting another retreat. Instead, American troops turned, fought back and drove them from the field. For the first time in the New York Campaign, Washington's army had shown it could stand and fight.

The fox hunters had unexpectedly become the prey, proving that the American army's spirit had not been broken. Washington had lost New York. He had lost good men, including Thomas Knowlton and Andrew Leitch. But at Harlem Heights, his battered army proved it could still fight.