The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-15
the RATTLE OF HARLEAr HEIGH rS.
Tho Memorial mt Coiumbla College WIN Noe
mark the Proper rincc.

NHN NNN"s W"
To TIE EDITOR or I'm SUN-Sir; On Satur-
day. Oct. 10. the Sons OF tho Revolution intend
unvc!!ing with appropriate ceremonies at Co
luu,nin College "A memorial TO Col. Thomas
Kpuwltcn and Major brijch. who were killed at
the battle of Harlem Heights. 1t Ia a mystery
to those familiar with colonial history why the
memorial should DO erected at Columbia Col
icpr. when Knowlton and lcitCh were killed 40
1884 street and Eleventh avenue, nearly two
miles above. A controversy has been goin- on
for some years as to the exact spot where
Knowlton fell, but any ono who has studied the
matter carefully must admit that he was not
killed on the site OF Columbia College, but at
1891 street.
Tho battle of Harlem Heights was fought on
Harlem Heights. and not on Vandorwator
Heights, where Columbia College now stands.
A number OF years ago certain persons inter
csted in real estate in the vicinity OF Columns
College, through the ambiguity of one OF the 40
counts of the battle of Harlem Heights, In order
to help their property. tried to deceive the pub
lie into believing that the battle was fought ~
10th street and the Boulevard.
Chancellor Erastus c. Benedict, in his account
of tho battle of Harlem Heights, says: "'Knowl-
ton fell said Aaron Burr. about l63d street
and Eleventh avenue" Mrs. Martha j. Lamb,
from near headquarters, descended tho ravine,
now Audubon Park. leading his men along me
l9M shore OF the river to n Nate ,iS. , Daodts ,b sayy
skirted Vandcrwater Heights until parallel with
the left flank ot the enemy under Gen; Leslie;
Here he was discovered AT sunrise and attacked
BY 400 of the British infantry. He allowed them
to come within six rods before giving orders TO
handed a ratrcat, Which dccoycd the adversary,
in tho language OF GOV. Clinton, into a scrape..'"
treated two miles and n half and then mado o
stand and sent for rcinforcements, which. we
soon received, and drove the dogs near three
| miles,
it was the second and chief battle which the
pen.and.ink sketch furnished the convention
shortly aftcrward by John Sloss Hobart to DR..
stiles. President OF Yale College, describes al
the bSs sirh, Is.i ns' s,o u The ten.milc stone Was
Hm,nphrey Jones. son OF Thomas Jones, known
as The fighting Quaker of Lafayctte's army. in q
letter to Chancellor Benedict, gives an impor.
tant link in the GhSin o. eyinence Thn dis iteaces
named in TIE cuntcmporaneous correspondence
are AL notably significant. ~
heavy from the muskc;ry and field pieces about
two hours, in which time our PEOPLE drove the
a half Had the battle occurred south OF Man
haitOnvillc. and the enemy been driven q mile
and n half, the Americans would have been In
the immediate viclnit,. OF the. Apthorpe Mansion,
which was Gen. Howc's headquarters.
These facts are well authenticated and, were
there no other evidence, are sufficient to pre-
cludc the possibility of the battle having oeen
ingion. in his weak and dispirited condition.
would never have been so indiscreet as 10 nave
sent half of his available forces across NWnal
would have been "A death trap for every man IN
case of defeat and %rctreatl the Misunderstanding
Hollow way and !temmpis to maintain a con
whelming disadvantages.
When the Eleventh avenue boulevard wal
put through Trinity Church Cemetery, IRON
i53d to 155th street. many cannon balls anc
bayonets were found. Many have also beer
found in cXcavating in Audubon. Park ,ant
vicinity. showing that a fierce battle was hello
there.
1t is strange that no cannon balls or signs OF
conflict were dug up when they were eXcavatini
for the new buildings OF Columbia College II tn
battle was fought there. w. M. u.
Oct. II. 1897.