The New York herald., 1875-10-29
THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS.


REVOLUTIONARY REMINIscENcEs-ANNI
OF THE BATTLE OF WHITE PIAINs-ADDREss
BY HON. JOHN JAY.
Ninety-nne years ago yesterday was fought the
battle of White Plains, at which the patriot forces
commanded in person by General Washington repulsed
determined attack Of British and HeSsan troops un
der Lord Howe. To celebrate another anniversary of
this important event the weschester County Hisor-
cal Society held its annual meeting yesterday at the
Presbyterian church In the village above
named In the morning business session
was held which, in addition to the trans
action of ordinary routine arairs embraced
an election of officers for the ensuing year. The after
noon devoted to address by the Hon. John Jay,
ex. United States Minister to Vienna, which was
listened attentivey throughout by large and criti-
cal audience The following is concise abstract of tho
address, which occupied nearly two hours in its de-
livery
ADDRESS or MR.. Jay
In opening the speaker said We stand to-day ON
what American is classic soil We met the
anniversary of national event. and fifty
bled this time and place to further the interesting
labos of the Historical Society OF the County of West
chester.
OF the Dutch Weslchester abounds in memories,
going back the of October 1910 when Hudson
anchored the Halfmoon of Verplanck's Point to the
9th of July 1776, when the Convention of New York,
assembled at White Plains, received from the Con-
tnental Congress the Declaration Of Independence,
which recalls that remarkable State paper the Declara
ton OF Independence published at the Hague by the
States General of Holland the Goth July, 1881 when
they pronounced Philip deposed from his sovereignty
in the Low Countries and the Inhabitants released from
their ancient featy. At White Plains the Convention,
among whom, says Bancroft were 'Woodhull Jay.Van
Courtlandt Lewis Morris, Gouverneur Morris Ganse-
voort Sloss Hobart the Presbyterian minister Kettle
and other representatives Of the Dutch, English and
Huguenot elements of the State, with joined
and fortunes
Hero Mr. Jay INDUCED in many pleasing anecdotes
relative the OF the Dutch after the
tion of which he spoke of the
RATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS
OF the event which this day celebrate IL Is not for
give you particular account for that is dty
served for the Centennial, near, when il will
doubtless be done with great exactness and funess OF
illustration
But may, perhaps, with propriety allude briefly to
the battle OF White Plains On the 9th of July, 1776,
had occurred the Convention of New York at White
Plains which adopted the Declaration of Independence
On the 10th Of August had occurred the disastrous
battle of Long Island which called forth from Washing
ton the exclamation, he watched the defeat of his
troops, "My God what brave men must this day
lose"
The mastery retreat OF Washington was effected on
the Goth of August
On the Sd OF September in pursuance of Washing
toms policy avoid general action and protrac the
war New York evacuated-the retreat being of tho
most disordery character the safety Of Punams regi
Deing effected by the ready tact and wit of Miss
Mary Lindsey Murray in asking the British officers to
lunch and OBTAINING them two hours their wine.
Washington the 18th OF October learned that Howe
sending his troops TO Throgg's Neck, with the
view OF getting in the of the American army and
cutting OF it's communications with the East by way OF
Rye and Bedford On the l4th he was Joined by Lee
from the South, and disposed his troops along the
line Of the Bronx On the 18th Howe, reinforced,
proceeded by Pelham to New Rochelle; on the 2lst
Washington removed his headquarters to Valentines
HILL and the 23d to White Plains, where his camp
was intrenched under the direction of French
ginecr On the 25h Howe, bafed in the plan OF flank
ing Washington crossed To Scarsdae where he awaited
Won
ION the bright autumnal morning OF the 2sh, says
Bancroft ''the army Of Howe expecting battle which
was to be decisive advanced divisions its right
under Clinton its left under Won Huster.n Washing
toms camp strongly ntrenched, was on high ground
facing the east the right wing stretching toward the
south along O rocky HILL while the Bronx, making
elbow protected it in flank and On Chatterton's
H separated from the camp by the Bronx River and
marsh Washington had placed militia regiment,
which as the British approached he supported by Col
gall's brigade Of Smallwoods Maryanders, RtZemas'
Now Workers and two others, and McDougall COM
manded the hill with 1000 men. The British ap-
preached, and, instead Of attacking the Ameri-
can centre Howe directed eight regiments,
about 1900 men, to carry Chattertons Hill.
The attacking force was divided, Colonel Rawc,
with a brigade OF Hessians ascending the south
sde while General Leslie with large force of British
and Hessians advanced in front threw bridge across
the and charged up the hill The attack Of the
British was supported by from fifteen 70 twenty-five
pieces OF artillery from high ground opposite the hill,
ana their advance was three times opposed by two
field pieces ledge Of Chattertons Hill in charge OF
Alexander Hamilton, the youthful captain of artillery.
The aSSaAng party reinforced Oy OF Brlt6h
cavalry, who gained the crest Of the hill bravo
stand was made by the Americans, who, having twice
repulsed horse aud foot British and Hessians
compelled 10 retire being met the Bronx by Gen.
eral Putnam. The loss both sides nearly equal
that of the Americans 800 TO 400 killed, wounded and
prisoners
The decisive conflict was expected the morrow,
and Washington passed the night doubling his in
trenchments and redoubs which, with the aid of sods
and cornstalks presented in the morning the appear
ance OF solid works and Howe sent for renforcements
and threw up lines and redoubts On the night Of tho
31st Washington removed his camp to the rocky hills
about New Castle The British the night OF the 4th
OF November left White Plains.for tho Hudson
There exhibited by Washington on this spot the
consummate judgment and sklful strategy which de-
feated the plans OF Sir William Howe and accomplished
his essential policy Of avoiding general engagement
and postponing till ready the decisive battle OF
the Revolution
When 1t proposed years since to build 70 the MEM
ory of Washington the unfinished shaft that awaits is
tardy completion at the capital many OF the Powers
and cities OF Europe sept memorial stones to adorn
the pediment The idea, graceful gathers signin-
canoe from the thought that these Powers had already
in past ages contributed by their policies the iounda-
tion stones OF the Republic OF Washington.
At the conclusion of Mr.. jays remarks vote OF
thanks was rendered to that gentleman. resolution
was also passed pedgug the support Of the citizens OF
the vicinity in the celebration Of the centenary OF the
battle az White Plains on October Is, 1876 and sug
eeston was made that the Declaration Of Independence
be publicy read on the 9th Of July, next year. in cee
baton OF the hundrodth anniversary OF that event
u