Volume 6, Number 4

Welcome to this issue of your Colorado River February 2016 Chapter, AZSSAR newsletter. The Colorado River, Red, White & Blue is an official publication of the Installation of Colorado River Chapter, AZSSAR. 2016 Chapter Officers We hope you enjoy this Newsletter and the updates and information it provides. Officers for 2016 were installed at our January meeting in Lake Havasu City

Chapter Meetings

Next Chapter Meeting February 13th Mohave Community College Kingman

Colorado River Chapter rotates meetings between Kingman and Lake Havasu in hopes that one location will be more appealing to you than the other.

Our meeting location in Kingman is Mohave Community College, 1971 Jaegerson Ave, Kingman, which is about 4-5 miles north of I-40. The meeting room is in the Library Building in a really nice Officers for 2016 left to right are: Jimmie conference room across from the Library. Bodenhamer Registrar/Genealogist, Mike Boop Secretary/Sergeant at Arms, Don Reighard President Our meeting location in Lake Havasu is Mohave County Library in the K-Mart Plaza at 1770 North Ray Lackey Vice-President/Treasurer, was absent McCulloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City. due to illness.

early bulkhead, several privies, and buried wooden Please support your officers and Chapter in 2016! barrels.”

Boyd said his company will use a special technique to date the timbers and get a better understanding of Revolutionary War-Era Ship the ships history and purpose. “It may represent a Discovered vessel type that has not yet been documented through archaeological research,” the city of Alexandria said in a press release. Did you see the article on the Weather Channel and other news outlets on the discovery of a Revolutionary War –Era ship at a hotel construction site in Virginia?

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia which is deep in American history and the home town of continues to glow with history. The discovery of a ship beneath the ground in a plot of land near the Potomac River shouldn’t be a big surprise to local archaeologists, but the one that was recently dug up at a hotel construction has them particularly excited.

This find is a remarkably well preserved Crews will document the ship with photos, Revolutionary War –Era Ship – and unlike most illustrations and even 3D scans before they other historical sites in the town, there’s no record of disassemble the hull and store it in water to keep in its existence. preserved.

“In 15 years that I’ve done this work, I’ve never run into this kind of preservation in an urban environment where there’s so much disturbance,” Dan Baicy, Thunderbird Archaeology field director, told the Washington Post. He said the wood was buried sufficiently in the ground to protect the ship’s remains from weather and oxygen which could have otherwise degraded it.

“We know that this ship was put in place sometime “This ship, which is in excess of 50 feet, was likely a between 1775 and 1798,” local archaeologist trading vessel or warship,” Boyd Sipe of Thunderbird Francine Bromberg told Fox 5, DC. Archaeology, the firm investigating the site, told the people at the Weather Channel. Boyd said the ship Source: The Weather Channel .com. was likely buried on purpose to fill in an expansion of the land into the Potomac River. “We have found additional 18th –century features on the site such as Campaigns and Battles of the well-preserved framing timbers and the foundation of what was likely the city’s first public warehouse, and American Revolution (1775-1783) Our series on Battles of the American Revolution continues with this issue’s installment – Battles of New York (Kip’s Bay, Harlem Heights, Fort Washington) (New York Campaign). I hope you find it interesting and informative!

Battles of New York (Kip’s Bay, Harlem Heights, Fort Washington) (New York Campaign)

September-November 1776

Manhattan Island, which is now the heart of modern New York City, is 12.5 miles long north to south and 2.5 miles wide east to west. And in 1776 New York City occupied only the island’s southern tip. The remaining part of Island was still rural and sparsely populated.

The terrain on Manhattan Island gently rises from south to north. Harlem Heights, which does not exceed 250 in elevation above the water, dominated the narrow northern end of the island. Along the western side was the strategic Hudson River, which even by this time was an important trade route between Canada and New York. Along the eastern side of the island was the Harlem River, and along its southern fringe the separated New York City from Long Island.

In 1776 there was only one bridge (top of map), on the extreme northeast corner of Manhattan Island. Called King’s Bridge, on the Harlem River, it connected the island to the mainland.

For the British, after thoroughly defeating the Continental Army, on 27 Aug 1776 on Long Island, British General Howe moved deliberately to strengthen his grip on New York City. Through the use of spies and reconnaissance he gathered intelligence in preparation for his assault on Patriot soldiers stationed in New York City, across the East In preparation for execution of his plan on 13 Sep River on Manhattan Island. 1776, Howe sent several warships north up the Hudson River past American shore batteries, and Howe was a cautious commander so he spent two threatening to land forces above Washington’s weeks maneuvering British army and navy forces command and severing waterborne communications into positions that would offer his men greater with the mainland. flexibility and striking power in the days ahead. Because of the size and power of the British navy, he From the American perspective, by all rights the was able to move his transports, supply vessels, and American Revolution should have ended after the 27 warships virtually unopposed throughout the harbor Aug 1776 battle for Long Island, where the bulk of and along the strategic maritime route to Lake Washington’s army were outflanked, routed, and Champlain via the Hudson River. pushed back west against the East River. But Howe had underestimated the Patriots resolve and his Control of the Hudson River Valley was especially hesitation in finishing off Washington’s army important for the British since they planned to use the allowed Washington to slip across the river to fight valley to dominate and isolate New England from the another day. rest of the rebellious colonies. However, the 27 Aug battle did expose several Howe felt sure that the defeat of the Patriots on Long serious problems for Washington. In addition to the Island would bring them to their senses, so he had loss of important commanders, the loss affected the delayed further offensive operations against them morale of his soldiers, and desertions skyrocketed as while he tried to arrange peace negotiations with thousands of militia soldiers just went home. In Patriot authorities. To further this effort he released addition many Americans inside and outside the army Patriot General Sullivan from captivity and urged questioned his leadership abilities. him to persuade the Continental Congress to discuss peace terms. Washington’s other concerns after he moved to Manhattan Island was the fact that many inhabitants On 11 Sep 1776, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin on Manhattan Island were in fact Loyalists, which and Edmund Rutledge met with Howe at his Staten made life much more difficult for his occupying Island headquarters. This meeting was known as the army. But he had little recourse but to defend New Staten Island Peace Conference, and had no chance York City from the British while he searched for of success because the British demanded a retraction opportunities to improve his situation there. of the American Declaration of Independence, something the American delegation refused to While the American army on Manhattan Island was seriously entertain. not completely surrounded, his ability to freely maneuver was limited and decreasing by the day Therefore after this Peace Conference failed Howe while General Howe’s men had complete mobility. focused on seizing control of the rest of New York This found Washington’s command again isolated on City and crushing the Continental army. His plan an island much as it had been on Long Island. would be to land a strong force north of the city at The Patriot army by this time approached 20,000 Kip’s Bay to effectively cut Manhattan Island in two men, but at least one-quarter of the soldiers were ill. thus dividing Washington’s army, capture the This new Patriot army desperately needed a thorough southern portion, and/or force a general engagement. reorganization: better muskets more artillery and Kip’s Bay at this time was a thinly protected area on equipment of all kinds, and a better strategic the eastern side of Manhattan Island, and his operation plan for defense of Manhattan Island. preliminary moves would include pushing warships and transports up the East River. Most of what Washington needed was not readily available in 1776, but he could reorganize his command, work on troop morale, and strengthen his operational position. The army was reorganized into During the early morning hours of 15 Sep 1776, three wings of “grand divisions” which would be led British warships moved into Kip’s Bay with a flotilla by Generals Putnam, Greene and Heath for defense of transports filled with 4,000 soldiers. These of Manhattan Island. warships pummeled Patriot positions with heavy cannon fire for about an hour, after which the British Once this reorganization was completed it was debarked and assaulted the beach at about 1:00 p.m. determined that New York City would be defended, and based on this Washington deployed his new Defenders in this sector of Manhattan Island were divisions for defensive operations. Putnam’s 5,000 commanded by American Colonel Douglas, whose man command was in the city itself, Greene’s men consisted largely of raw Connecticut Militia who command of around 6,000 men was assigned to were hunkered down in an ill-placed shallow trench. defend eastern Manhattan Island, which included Douglas’s men attempted to mount a credible defense and Kip’s bays, and Heath’s command of against the British but his undisciplined solders, about 9,000 men was ordered to defend the western together with others who were defending their side of the island and secure the high ground north positions nearby, panicked in the face of the stunning ( known as Harlem Heights). In addition Fort display of British firepower and fled to the rear after Washington, an old citadel guarding the Hudson barely firing a shot at the British. River, was strengthened to prevent British ships from moving upriver and cutting off the American A dumbfounded Washington arrived on the scene defenders. with several of his Generals and tried to rally the fleeing men, and according to some accounts he As could be expected, based on the inexperience of struck several retreating soldiers with the flat side of Washington, he had overextended his army. There his sword, yelled loudly mockingly their fighting was too much terrain that needed defending and not abilities, and finally spurred his horse forward in an enough soldiers, artillery, or naval resources for the effort to charge the British line. This foolhardy bit of task. So on 12 Sep 1776, Washington met with his bravado ended when his aids grabbed the reins and commanders and they concluded the entire island persuaded him that retreat was a better option. below Fort Washington should be evacuated and equipment and supplies moved to safety. Fortunately, Patriot troops deployed in the city below Kip’s Bay were notified of the mid-island disaster One of the opening moves in the New York soon enough to march north quickly before Howe campaign was also one of the most bizarre: a expanded his beachhead and could cut off their line submarine attack. On the night of 6 Sep 1776, Patriot of retreat north. Sgt Ezra Lee stealthily maneuvered a small one-man American submarine affectionately named “The The Patriot army was easily driven from the eastern American Turtle” beneath HMS Eagle. His intent and lower portions of Manhattan Island and had to was to drill a hole in the British ship’s hull, insert an retreat northward along the western shore to fortified explosive charge, and slip away before in detonated. position on Harlem Heights. The British followed quickly behind the American withdrawal, marching However, unable to accomplish his mission, the north up the eastern shoreline in one of the oddest frustrated Lee withdrew but was spotted by a British foot races of the war trying to trap the retreating seaman who opened fire on the strange vessel. Americans. Sergeant Lee released his bomb and escaped.. But sadly, the sub was hidden aboard a colonial warship The next day on 16 Sep, advance elements of both to move it from the area and that ship was sunk trying armies clashed on the plain southeast of Harlem to run the British blockade, thus taking to the bottom Heights. British Brigadier General Leslie’s the first submarine used in a naval operation. command approached the new Patriot positions at Harlem Heights, while General Washington dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton’s Connecticut Rangers (Congress’ Own) of about 150 men to engage the British advance. In this engagement both Knowlton and Leitch were mortally injured early in the fighting while urging After easy victories at Long Island and Kip’s Bay, their men to stand their ground against the world’s General Howe’s men had little regard for colonial finest infantry. soldiers fighting abilities. When the Connecticut Rangers ran into the British light infantry a small General Leslie reinforced his light infantry and fight ensued. Knowlton’s men comprised a specially Scottish Highlanders (42d Regiment) with Jägers and formed unit that answered directly to Washington, field artillery. The fighting was more than Leslie had and unlike the Militia defenders at Kip’s Bay, these bargained for, and he had his men fall back further men stood and fought with great zeal and from Harlem Plains, stopping after a short distance to steadfastness until reinforcements arrived from the fight a rearguard engagement. By this time British British 42d Regiment of Foot, which prompted reinforcements from several miles away finally Knowlton to wisely withdraw his Rangers. arrived, swelling Leslie’s command to more than 5,000 men. But unlike many battles, darkness did not Washington’s army had twice failed to stand and end the fighting, which carried on until about 2:30 deliver a credible fight and he was more than a little a.m. anxious about engaging in a pitched battle at this time. However, when Washington got word that A worried General Howe was planning a larger Knowlton’s Rangers were fighting well and the assault, perhaps with naval support after this battle British were mocking them with fox hunting calls, with Leslie’s men was over; but Washington ordered Washington decided to set a trap for the British. his troops to withdraw to the relative safety of Harlem Heights. Even though this battle was a Washington ordered 150 men under Lieutenant success for Washington and the Americans still held Colonel Crary (John Nixon’s Brigade) to initiate a Fort Washington, Howe had managed to secure New limited counterattack while Knowlton and his York City with relative ease. Rangers, together with three additional companies from the 3d Virginia with 230 men under the The Harlem Height victory, even though small, was command of Major Leitch executed a flanking just what the American army needed to help boost movement around the advancing British right in an morale, and as it turned out this battle would also be attempt to cut them off. the last significant combat action for the next four Washington kept his front line too distant to be weeks. Washington took advantage of this four week effective on purpose to lure the British closer. He lull, to refit his men and weigh a significant strategic then fed the balance of Nixon’s men, about 800 issue: should he abandon Fort Washington? As long Pennsylvania infantry, into the line. British General as the Americans held Harlem Heights the Fort was Leslie took the bait and advanced, triggering an secure from British capture. energetic musketry engagement. But Washington knew that Howe would almost Leslie realized something was amiss when Patriot certainly try to force the Patriot army out of its soldiers prematurely began firing on his right flank position at Harlem Heights, and when he did the alerting him to the danger of envelopment before the American army would have to move to the mainland, American trap could be set. The British fell back a exposing Fort Washington (and a stronghold built couple hundred yards behind a fence line followed across the river in New Jersey called Fort Lee) to the closely by the American attackers. The fighting British. continued at close range while Washington fed in more troops from Maryland and New England, Washington wanted the large garrison at Fort including Colonel Douglas’s Connecticut Militia who Washington and its invaluable artillery and tons of had failed miserably at Kip’s Bay. Two guns were supplies withdrawn, but his subordinate officers also brought forward to engage the British. convinced him the Fort could withstand a British assault. General Greene urged it be held; claiming British with several opportunities to quell the the garrison could be evacuated in time if necessary, rebellion outright or at least fatally wound it, they did but future events would prove this advice unsound. neither.

On 12 Oct 1776, the move Washington feared began, This complex campaign was important for several when Howe launched an attack designed to trap the reasons: it secured New York for the British for the Americans at Harlem Heights. Howe’s actions left balance of the war; it stripped the Patriots of valuable Washington with no choice but to order a tactical men as the British took thousands of prisoners and withdrawal from Harlem Heights and the heavily tons of critical supplies and 146 artillery pieces from wooded northern end of Manhattan Island. Washington’s army, sapping Patriot resolve in the process. The Patriots were organized for this withdrawal into four divisions commanded by Generals Lee, Heath, Several noteworthy events also occurred during this Sullivan and Lincoln, Washington maneuvered his siege: on 20 Sept, a great fire swept through the city army through the western end of the Bronx destroying a large number of buildings northward into mainland New York. Soldiers were ; and on 21 Sept, Patriot Captain Nathan Hale a stretched along a 13-mile route from Fordham to member of Knowlton’s Connecticut Rangers, was White Plains. Washington also was forced to move captured and hanged as a spy the next day by the his headquarters from Manhattan Island to the British. On the gallows Hale proclaimed the famous vicinity of White Plans on 21 Oct. line, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” On 28 Oct 1776, Howe attempted to engage the Americans again at White Plains but this action failed Casualties for the battles of New York were: Kip’s to live up to his expectations, so he turned his Bay – British: 12 killed, and wounded; American: 60 attention back south to Fort Washington, and on 13- killed, and wounded, and 300 captured. Harlem 14 Nov, the British launched a combined operation Heights – British: 14 killed and 154 wounded with 8,000 men to capture the Fort. The British tactic (including Hessians); American: 30 killed, 100 was to attack from several directions with several wounded and/or missing. Fort Washington: British thousand German soldiers comprising the primary 130 killed and wounded and 320 Hessians killed and attacking column. wounded; American 53 killed, 250 wounded, and 2,818 captured. When the fighting began at Fort Washington, Washington’s men crossed back over the Hudson As a side note: Most of the fighting took place in River from Fort Lee but quickly determined that what is today Manhattan and little evidence remains. saving the fort and Colonel Magaw’s 2,800 men However during the Harlem Heights battle, General garrison and precious artillery was no longer Washington occupied the Morris-Jumel Mansion as possible. He quickly returned his soldiers to New his headquarters which still stands today and can be Jersey and by 3:00 p.m. the fort was under the control visited on your next trip to New York. of the British.

The fall of Fort Washington to the British brought the New York campaign to a close, and as it turned out Fort Lee would fall to the British four days later but to Washington’s luck the garrison at Fort Lee had already fled the area.

The British siege of New York was a disaster of significant magnitude for the young American army. Though the string of Patriot defeats provided the Visit www.morrisjumel.org website. Membership Sources: A Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution by Savas and Dameron. If you need assistance with a membership issue, or know someone interested in joining the NSSAR, NEXT: Battle of Lake Champlain (Valcour Island), please provide me the contact information and I will (Canadian Campaign). work the issue for you.

Jimmie Bodenhamer, Registrar/Genealogist, Colorado River Chapter AZSSAR, 5805 N Cedar Chapter Member Birthdays Ridge Lane, Kingman, AZ 86409-9345, [email protected], (928) 692-6636. February 2016

Ronald Smith – 25th Calendar of Upcoming Events March 2016 February 1st James McConnell – 4th Chapter Newsletter Mailed Ray Lackey – 24th Donald Reighard – 29th February 10th Jimmie Bodenhamer – 29th Ash Wednesday

February 13th Chapter Meeting Mohave Community College Kingman

February 14th Valentine’s Day

Chapter Officers February 15th Presidents Day Donald Reighard – President – (928) 680-4087 March 12th Chapter Meeting Ray Lackey – Vice President – (928) 754-1941 Mohave County Library Lake Havasu Mike Boop – Secretary – (928) 753-7968

March 13th Ray Lackey - Treasurer – (928) 754-1941 Daylight Savings Time Begins Jimmie Bodenhamer – Registrar/Genealogist – (928) 692-6636 March 17th St Patrick’s Day Michael Boop – Sergeant at Arms – (928) 753-7968

March 20thh Palm Sunday

March 25th Good Friday

March 27th Easter

April 1st Chapter Newsletter Mailed

Newsletter Editor

Hope you enjoyed this newsletter and I look forward to any comments or suggestion. Jimmie Bodenhamer, Editor, [email protected].

Need another copy of this Newsletter? It is on our AZSSAR website link.