Battle of White Plains
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Battle of White Plains Historic Site : George Washington's HQ |
The
Battle of White Plains was an inconclusive meeting on
October 28,
1776 in the
American Revolutionary War. General
William Howe's British army, with
Hessian support was completing their occupation of
New York and its environs.
George Washington had withdrawn to the high ground near the village of
White Plains.
The battle is recorded as a British victory as the
Füsilier-Regiment von Knyphausen, a German unit, outflanked the American position. However, Howe missed the chance to force a larger engagement that could destroy Washington's army. After taking the high ground, he paused to set up camp and artillery batteries. After spending a few miserable nights on swampy ground, under the British guns, the Americans slipped away to the north on the night of November 1, escaping with their wounded and supplies.
Considering the numbers involved, casualties were light on both sides. The
Continental Army lost 150 killed and wounded, while British losses came to about 313.
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The Battle of White Plains
