Washington's Failed NY Campaign

Fought on November 16, 1776 on the island of Manhattan, just north of New York City, the Battle of Fort Washington almost became the next to last chapter in what might have been a failed rebellion in a misguided cause. The huge loss of men and supplies, critical in its timing as the army was disintegrating from ending enlistments and desertions, was yet another nail in the coffin that loomed over America’s chances for independence. Citizen soldiers – planters, farmers, merchants, mechanics, artisans, and politicians, with their amateur leaders, demonstrated their inexperience, indecision, and incredible ineptitude in deciding to retain Fort Washington’s garrison. The eighteenth century was also an age where honor played a large factor in men’s decisions. More often than not, critical decisions were based not solely on information and one’s experience, but one’s honor. A gentleman’s decision and opinions were sacred to his honor and as such, leaders like Washington treaded carefully when questioning the motives and reasoning behind their decisions. This may have been the case why Washington, who had his doubts, accepted his subordinate, General Nathanael Greene’s assurance that the garrison could sustain an attack. After an analysis of circumstances leading up to its defense, the terrain, the fort itself both physical and its purpose (in which it had failed), the numbers of Americans posted to defend it, the numbers of enemy, armaments, and most importantly, the goal or objective by maintaining an isolated post in Manhattan, cut off from all support, one can only scratch one’s head and ask why didn’t the Americans get the hell out when they could?