Battle of White Plains

Overview

The Battle of White Plains took place during the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed troops in Westchester County, intending to cut off Washington's escape route. Alerted to this move, Washington retreated farther, establishing a position in the village of White Plains but failing to establish firm control over local high ground.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of White Plains was a tactical engagement within the New York and New Jersey campaign of 1776, fought as British General William Howe moved to cut off Washington's Continental Army following its retreat northward from New York City. Howe landed troops in Westchester County to envelop Washington's line of withdrawal, prompting a further American retreat to the village of White Plains. Washington's failure to secure commanding high ground in the area left his position vulnerable. British and Hessian forces under Howe, Leslie, Rall, and von Donop engaged the Continental defenders, suffering 182 casualties against 126 American losses. The engagement continued the pattern of British operational pressure forcing Washington to cede ground rather than stand and fight, sustaining the strategic momentum Howe had built since the fall of New York City and keeping the Continental Army in a defensive posture across the region.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (8)