July 2009 From Your County Legislator Bill Ryan Chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators The American Revolutionary War, Independence and White Plains in 1776 n July 1776, White Plains was a small village still untouched by war. Over a year had passed since the fight- ing near Boston where the “Minutemen” had engaged the British army at Lexington and Concord. A Patriot siege of Boston forced the British army to sail to New York City where they confronted General George Washington and the Continental Army. The Americans survived the Battle of Long Island, but the British, I determined to crush the rebellion, carried the war through Manhat- tan. To escape the hostilities, New York’s Provincial Congress fled New York City north to White Plains. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, on July 2, 1776, representatives from the thirteen colonies, meeting as the Continental Congress, voted to break away from England. Two days later, on July 4th, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies ratified the Declaration of Independence. The New York’s delegation abstained because their Provincial Con- gress hadn’t given them the authority to vote. Sentiment in New York was sharply divided on the question of in- dependence. The Sons of Liberty and young leaders like Alexan- der Hamilton and John Jay favored severing all ties with England. The Loyalists, a very large group that included some of New York’s most influential people, opposed that move. So, on July 4th, with New York’s delegates waiting for instructions on what to do, the other delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. That done, a courier on horseback rode from Philadelphia to White Plains carrying a copy to New York’s Provincial Congress. Read More Inside... 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601 ● 914.995.2827 ● [email protected] NEW YORK’S PROVINCIAL CONGRESS ADOPTS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE few days after July 4, 1776, a horseback rider from Philadel- A phia reached White Plains and delivered a copy of the Declaration of Independence to New York’s Provincial Congress. On July 9, the representatives gathered in the old Court House located near what is today the corner of South Broadway and Mitchell Place (monu- ment at right). The Declaration of Inde- pendence was considered and adopted. On the morning of July 11, the Declara- tion was read form the Court House steps to an enthusiastic public (above). The colony of New York was declared a free and independent state. Less than four months later White Plains was the scene of a major battle of the war. THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS - 1776 rom October 28, when Americans on Chatterton Hill were attacked by the British, until Novem- ber 4, when American artillery fire from Miller Hill ended the battle, Washington’s army held Foff a far superior - better trained, disciplined and equipped - British force. The Battle of White Plains, fought only a few months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was an important stand by the Americans after a long retreat. It marked the revival of hope for national independence. General Washington and the Continental Army Enter White Plains In late October, General George Washington, arrived with his army in White Plains. They were in retreat, pursued by the British under the command of General Lord William Howe. Washington established his headquarters at the Jacob Purdy House (right) and there he prepared to do battle with the advancing British. Americans Set Up Defenses in White Plains Defensive positions were established to the west, north, and east of White Plains, taking advantage of the heights above the village. The right wing of Washington’s forces, including a two cannon battery commanded by Alexander Ham- ilton, took position on Chatterton’s Hill, protected by the Bronx River. The center of the army took position across what is today North Broadway (monument at left). The left flank of Washington’s army took up positions on Hatfield and Merritt Hills, high ground east of White Plains in Harrison, just north of what is today the Silver Lake area. British Army Advances North into Scarsdale As the Americans dug in, the British - marching up local roads (Quaker Ridge, Weaver, Post Road, Old Ma- maroneck) arrived in Scarsdale. General Howe set up headquarters at the Griffen House (at Mamaroneck and Garden Roads). Howe’s troops bivouacked throughout Scarsdale. The Hessians, for example, were encamped in the Heathcote area. British Attack Americans Defending Chatterton’s Hill Early in the morning, October 28, the British marched into White Plains. General Howe saw the right wing of Washington’s army po- sitioned to the west on Chatterton’s Hill as a serious threat to the British advance. The British bombarded the Americans from batteries on Fisher Hill. British and Hessian troops were then ordered to ford the Bronx River and charge up the steep slopes. Outflanked and outnumbered, Washington’s troops were driven off the hill and retreated to the army’s main line north of the village. Merritt Hill – Eastern Limit of Patriot Defense On October 28, British cavalry rode from White Plains into Harrison and approached the left flank of Washington’s army on Hatfield and Merritt Hills. The Americans turned back this advance and another on November 1. Heavy Rain Delays British Advance From October 29-31, weather slowed the Redcoats. British artillery bombarded the center of the American lines and forced Wash- ington’s retreat into North Castle. Mount Misery Site of Washington’s encampment on October 31. The nearby Elijah Miller house (left) was used several times as Washington’s headquar- ters during the war years. British Attack Center of American Line On November 1, the British attacked the center of Washington’s Continental army positioned in the North Castle heights. The American lines held. Shots Fired From North Castle Heights End Battle Shots fired at the British fromMiller Hill (right), November 4, by Col. John Glover’s troops ended the Battle of White Plains. The British withdrew turning the tide of the Revolution. LEGEND OF MONUMENTS, HISTORICAL WHITE PLAINS AREA, 1776 MARKERS & POINTS OF INTEREST 1st public reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York. White Plains becomes birthplace of NY State. (Monument at corner of South Broadway & Mitchell Place) Jacob Purdy House. Washington’s headquarters, October 23-28, 1776 and July M Y 27 – September 16, 1778. (Park Avenue) R A Battle/Whitney Park. Signs and map describing the Battle of White Plains. (Corner L of Battle Avenue and Whitney Street) A T Battlefield at Chatterton Hill, monument WHITE PLAINS N Y with cannon. (Near intersection of Main Street M and the southbound entrance to Bronx River E R Parkway) N A I Monument, mortar (cannon), and a remnant T of the entrenchments mark the center of H Washington’s army. (North Broadway) N S I Battlefield at Merritt Hill, monument with O T cannon, sign with battle information. (West C I side of Lake Street in West Harrison, just north of the Town park) R American position/entrenchment on Miller B Hill. Historical marker with battle information. (Dunlap Way, off General Heath Avenue in North White Plains) Miller House. Washington’s headquarters. (East side of Virginia Road, just north of intersection with North Broadway) From County Legislator, Independence Day Bill Ryan! FUN & GAMES! Word Jumble Patriot’s Puzzle Word Scramble PATRIOT’S PUZZLE UNSCRAMBLE each of the clue 1 2 3 words. Take the letters that appear 4 in boxes and unscramble them for the final message. 5 6 7 NEEDEENIDCPN 8 NGISWAHNTO 9 10 NELAGRE 11 12 13 RYMA NIEMAACR 14 15 16 17 RBHISTI 18 RTTEOTANCH 19 20 21 22 23 24 HOW MANY words can you make with ACROSS DOWN the letters in the word “AMERICAN”? 4. Washington retreated to here 1. Where Declaration was drafted 5. One of two in a famous feud, or 2. Patriot and first Chief Justice AMERICAN strategic hill for the Colonials 3. Didn’t need spectacles to see a Signer 6. British sympathizer 5. He was first, or put your John _____ 7. Washington’s White Plains on it! Headquarters 8. House for Howe 9. Founding Father on a $10 bill 10. Parkway, or high ground where 12. A Common Sense ache American’s turned back British 13. First in war, first in peace 11. Place where Declaration was first read 15. Don’t order tea here in Westchester 16. 60-second people 13. Critical fort on the Hudson and home 20. German mercenaries of the Black Knights 22. Site of upstate British surrender 14. British spy captured in Westchester 23. He had only one life to give for 17. Soldiers plight at Valley Forge, his Country or site of Washington’s “Halloween 24. ______ York State encampments” 18. Type of Revolutionary gun 19. Made it tough for the British to sail up the Hudson River 21. Flagmaker or a TV “Friend”.