Battle of Pell's Point

The Battle of Pell's Point, also known as the Battle of Pelham, was a skirmish during the American Revolutionary War. It took place on October 18, 1776, in what is now part of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, New York City.

October 18, 1776, Sir William Howe, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, landed around 4,000 English and Hessian troops at Pell's Point. The American Commander, John Glover, rushed forward with his 750 men and attacked the landing British troops. The American troops fought from behind stone walls, and inflicted heavy casualties on the British troops.

On October 18, looking out over Eastchester Bay early that day, Glover noticed that the British ships had come in during the night. He sent a 41-man detachment to move forward and delay the British advance. Meanwhile, Glover formed up the remainder of his brigade to bar the road that was along the expected British route. The delaying detachment met the British and exchanged fire with them before falling back to Glover's position.

Part of the American force on the left side of the road let the British to get within 100 feet of them before rising from behind a stone wall and opening fire. The British were driven back, taking about 1 1/2 hours to reform and organize an attack supported by 7 guns. The previous American position fired 7 volleys before withdrawing to the next regiment's position. When the British advanced to the new position, the Americans was able to fire 17 volleys into the British line. This caused the British to make several attacks before they could advance again. The American position was forced to withdraw to a new position which the British did not attack. Both sides fired cannades at each other until dark, when Glover withdrew his force back another 3 miles to Dobb's Ferry. There, he set up camp for the night.

This battle enabled Washington, with the main American army, to withdraw safely from Harlem Heights to White Plains.

ee also

*Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site