Fort Washington (Manhattan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Washington
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Pen and Ink map of Fort Washington, 1776
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | New York City, New York |
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| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001871 |
| Added to NRHP | December 6, 1978 |
Fort Washington was an important fort built during the American Revolution. It was located at the highest point of Manhattan Island in New York City. Today, this area is known as Washington Heights, Manhattan.
The place where Fort Washington once stood is now recognized as a special historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Building the Fort
During the American Revolution, George Washington was leading the American army. He needed to defend New York City from the British. So, Fort Washington was built in 1776.
Another fort, Fort Lee, was built across the Hudson River in New Jersey. These two forts worked together. Their main goal was to stop British ships from sailing up the Hudson River. They also provided a safe way for American soldiers to escape if needed.
General Washington knew defending New York would be hard. The American army had limited supplies and soldiers.
The Battle of Fort Washington
Fort Washington was defended by American soldiers. Their leader was Colonel Robert Magaw. He was very brave and refused to give up the fort to the British. He told them he would fight until the very end.
The fort was important because it blocked the British. It stopped them from moving further north into Manhattan and other American areas. British General William Howe wanted to capture the fort. This would open a path for the British to control more of New York.
General Howe had about 8,000 soldiers. Many of these were Hessian soldiers from Germany. They were led by Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen.
On November 16, 1776, General Howe ordered an attack on Fort Washington. This battle is known as the Battle of Fort Washington. Howe's forces won the battle. They captured 2,838 American soldiers. They also took a large amount of supplies from the fort. After the British and Hessian victory, the fort was renamed Fort Knyphausen.
The British had help from an American officer named William Demont. On November 2, he left the American side and gave General Howe detailed maps. These maps showed where the American defenses and troops were located.
The American army lost 53 soldiers and had 96 wounded. The rest of the soldiers were taken prisoner. The British and Hessian troops lost 132 soldiers and had 374 wounded.
The captured American soldiers were marched through the streets of New York City. Many people in the city were Loyalists, meaning they supported the British. They cheered and made fun of the American prisoners.
Most of the prisoners were kept on British ships in New York harbor. Over 2,000 of them died during the cold winter. They died from sickness, cold, or not having enough food. About 800 prisoners survived. They were released in a prisoner exchange the next year.
Margaret Corbin: A Heroine
During this battle, a woman named Margaret Corbin fought bravely. She was from Virginia and is known as the first female soldier in the American Army. Margaret was married to John Corbin, who was a soldier in the Pennsylvania Artillery.
When her husband was killed in battle, Margaret took his place. She cleaned, loaded, and fired his cannon. She was badly injured during the fight. Margaret survived, but she never fully recovered and could not use her left arm again. She is thought to be one of the women who inspired the legend of Molly Pitcher.
The Site Today
The exact spot where Fort Washington stood is now Bennett Park. This park is located on Fort Washington Avenue in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City. It is between West 183rd and 185th Streets.
In the park, you can see stones that mark where the fort's walls once were. There is also a special marker that tells you this spot is the highest natural point on Manhattan Island. This high ground was one of the main reasons the fort was built there.
Bennett Park is just a few blocks north of the George Washington Bridge. This bridge is located between West 179th and 180th Streets.
Along the banks of the Hudson River, below the Henry Hudson Parkway, is Fort Washington Park. This park has a small piece of land called "Jeffrey's Hook" or "Fort Washington Point." This is where the famous Little Red Lighthouse stands.
Images for kids
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Capt. Molly memorial - Fort Tryon Park
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Bennett Park memorial - Fort Washington
See also
In Spanish: Fort Washington (Manhattan) para niños
