Landing at Kip's Bay

The Landing at Kip's Bay was a British maneuver during the New York Campaign in the American Revolutionary War on September 15, 1776, occurring on the eastern shore of present-day Manhattan. Advance fire from British naval forces in the East River led the inexperienced militia forces guarding the landing area to flee, making it possible for the British to easily land their troops at Kip's Bay. Skirmishes in the aftermath of the landing resulted i... more

The Landing at Kip's Bay was a British maneuver during the New York Campaign in the American Revolutionary War on September 15, 1776, occurring on the eastern shore of present-day Manhattan. Advance fire from British naval forces in the East River led the inexperienced militia forces guarding the landing area to flee, making it possible for the British to easily land their troops at Kip's Bay. Skirmishes in the aftermath of the landing resulted in the British capture of some of those militia, and British maneuvers following the landing very nearly cut off the escape route of some Continental Army forces. The flight of American troops was so rapid that at one point George Washington, who was attempting to rally them, was left exposed dangerously close to British lines. The battle was a decisive British victory, and resulted in the withdrawal of the Continental Army to Harlem Heights, ceding control of New York City (which then occupied only lower Manhattan). General William Howe, after... less