The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-16
BATTLE OF THE HARLEM
Hundred and Twentieth
Anniversary Cele-
brated Today.
A BITTERLY FOUGHT CONTEST
Washington Heights Gay With the
National G~olors-Washing-
ton was Victor.

NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 1Ss6.-The STIR
ring days of the American Revolution
were recalled to many lovers of their
battle Of Harlem Heights. 1t is so long
ago-120 years-that a good proportion OF
the residents of cosmopolitan New York
never heard of the struggle.
The anniversary was observed, how
ever, by ceremonies at the northern and
southern limits of the city. Down at the
Battery at sunrise the Stars and Stripes
were hoisted. and the national salute of
thirteen gum was fired at Washington
Heights.
The good folks of Washington Heights
displayed their colors, which they had
kept backed away since the Fourth of
July, and the thirteen historic Hamilton
trees were gayly decorated.
OF course the Norris House, where
Washington had his headquarters, was
the centre of the celebration.
Flags were unfurled from every window
and the pillars Were wins with bunt
ing, while the big trees outside swayed to
and fro with the wind, just as they did
Wnen the shot and shell p%loughed through
them more than century ago.
II was right after the battle of Long
Island, when Washington saw that his
troops We're so outnunbered that it would
be folly for him to remain longer ON the
.sland, that he effected the famous re-
treat, known as one of his most remark
able strategic movements.
He fell back on August 30, 1776. into New
York, but was compelled to evacuate.
and ON September Is all military stores
not In actual demand having been re-
moved, he marched to the upper part Of
Manhattan Island.
He took up headquarters at the Ap-
thorpe mansion, which stood on what is
now Nlnety-first street and Riverside
and then rode to the Morris House, on
Harlem Heights, n made that his
headquarters.
The first gun was fred at sunrise on
September 16, and the firing continued for
only a few minutes. There was a lull
then until nearly II o'clock, when the
battle proper began. 1t lasted for four
W~ashington's army numbered scarcely
5000, out of which but 4, 800 took part In
the engagement His troops were COM
pletely tagged out from long and con-
of their choicest troops with seven field
pieces in the action, while 10, 900 men were
ready to push on at the order.
WaShHngton'S men were from the North
ana the south. They were accustomed to
fighting from ambush, and this was OF
great service to them, as the uneven land
and the forestry made it impossible for
the British 10 make concerted charges
h redcoats plunged in wherever an
opening appeared. The battle was waged
from behind trees, house and rocks, the
~combatants fighting all the way from
what is now 12Jth streets. or Manhat-
tanyille, to where is now 155th street, be-
yond which the British could not pen
eIrate.
It was nightfall before the firing stopped
and then it was found that both armies
occupied about the same position as in
the morning. Washington stationed his
pickets some distance below 155th street.
where they were within speakings dis
Tance of the British outposts. expecting
a renewal of the conflict.
The enemy, however, had seen the mis-
take they made in beginning the battle
so soon and in a place where they could
not use their artillery, so they chose to
retire.
Thu success of this engagement which
was n of the most brilliant. of the war.
has been rated by the historians as sec,
ond TO none in Importance. It was really
tine hrSt successful battle of the Ameri-
can Revolution. 1t imbued the Ameri-
cans with self-conidence and spirit and
encouraged a bravery which was respon-
sipie Tor their ultimate success.
Ihe battle was prolific of feats
OF daring and many heroes were made
and Killed during the day. Two who
especially distinguished themselves were
Major Leitch of the Virginia Riiemen,
ana Col. knowlton of the Connecticut
Washington maintained his ~headoa,ar.
tiers at Morris House until October 25