By Wade S.

News of British defeat in the battles of Lexington and Concord reached New York on April 23 1775. Two months later, the British were prepared to retaliate with an invasion force of approximately fifteen thousand redcoats, supported by the infamous British Navy. As General Washington had expected, New York City was the prime strategic target. If the British were able to gain control of Manhattan it would severely cripple the Continental Army in several ways. Strategically, New York was an excellent location of a stronghold because it was easily defended and supported. In addition, the rest of the colonies would become easy access to the British forces. Economically, New York City was one of the most prosperous ports in the new world. Also, if New York City were to fall under British control, it would be a huge moral impact upon the revolutionaries.

However, in 1776 General Washington was unable to defend the city, and it remained under British control for most of the war. Although the Continental Army had lost the city, it had learned the weaknesses and faults of the larger slower British forces. Months later, these faults would be exploited, and eventually lead to the withdrawal of the British occupational forces.

Washington had known that the British Army was much larger and as a result, slower and less flexible. The strategy that Washington developed was a combination of conventional regimental skirmishes and gorilla hit and run maneuvers, which were influenced by the Native American style of warfare. When these two very different styles of fighting were combined and used against the British forces, it caught them off guard.

The campaigns in and around the New York City area are important to look at for several reasons. The first being, that it was the first time that Sir William Howe would see Washingtonâs forces in maneuvers, and visa versa; it was a probing period for the armies. Also, during the New York campaigns, the battle of Brooklyn was waged. This battle was a substantial win for Washington because it forced the British to reassess their strategies and troop movement; in addition, it acted as a model of future battle outcomes. This journal was found buried in a womanâs garden along with a musket and canteen in the eastern part of Hackensack New Jersey. It is a detailed description of Washingtonâs troop movement and strategies during the New York campaigns of 1776.

April 11, 1776

It has been several months ago since we first arrived in Long Island under the command of General Charles Lee. With strict and detailed orders from Washington himself, we were to secure the East River and build fortifications from the Battery to Hell Gate. Today, after extremely difficult and grueling work, the two forts have finally been completed. They are placed on both banks of the east river allowing for crossfire, making enemy ship movement very difficult.

As Washington has told us, Brooklyn Heights is the key to the cityâs security. In addition to the forts, the entrenchments have been completed.

April 13, 1776

I was awoken early this morning by cargo being unloaded off the ships and men screaming orders. General Washington and our reinforcements have arrived. Immediately, his engineers got to work. By midday they extended the entrenchments one mile south and east, and placed the final touches on fort Washington in Harlem Heights. The next step is to wait.

May 20, 1776

Anticipation has been our only enemy so far. Our alertness is being lowered with each day. At any sign of movement men jump to their feet; including me. The regiment has been moved from fort defense to primary skirmish defense. We have been positioned a few miles north of The Narrows. Scouts still havenât reported any activity as of yet.

June 2, 1776

Around 3:00 this afternoon, one of the New York scouts who was stationed at Gravesend Bay came sprinting up the ridge, and continued running right by us. About eight minuets later another came running towards sergeant Calloway. He said that seven British frigates have been spotted, accompanied by several sloops. Within five minutes we were ordered to build makeshift fortifications along the tree line just north of the bay, which was the estimated point of mobilization for the British.

The defenses were completed about an hour ago. It is nighttime again; the sentries are out and about. A little while ago another New York scout came running up the hill towards sergeant Calloway and my position. He reported seeing approximately 12,000 redcoats disembarked, across the Narrows on Staten Island.

June 24, 1776

Once again the anticipation is torture. Every day we sit in our positions along the wooden wall waiting, and waiting. My hands become numb from gripping the musket so tight, my back is aching from the double munitions we are to carry. The men have are becoming increasingly jumpy, in fact yesterday a private shot a deer running across the field. Every week is the same thing, no word from the scouts for days, then when we eventually see them its ãno additional movement yet sirä, or ãnothing to report sirä.

August 17, 1776

The scouts have are now keeping us posted every few hours. The British have been organizing and preparing to cross the Narrows for weeks now, and with each day their numbers grow. The first encounter could be any moment. Today Calloway spoke to us explaining our orders. ãWe are to be General Howeâs welcoming party. We are instructed to engage the red coats and fall back immediately. Then regroup into skirmish lines, hold, and then fall back again. We will repeat these field actions until we reach our strongholds at Gowanus Creek and Wallabout Bay. There we will rejoin with Washington and the rest. Keep in mind gentlemen; we are here to slow down the expeditionary force. You will fire off as many rounds as possible until you hear the bugle, then your field officer will give the signal to fall back and regroup.ä Many of the men (including me) are relieved to hear that we will not be fighting the British head on in open fields. As we know, their numbers far exceed ours, and their open field tactics are precise and powerful. It seems as though our engagements will be a combination of what the British have taught us in the open field, and what we have learned from the Indians.

August 21, 1776

Scouts have reported that rowboats have been brought to the east side of Staten Island and several divisions of light infantry can be seen. We have just received orders to ready our things and prepare for engagement.

August 27, 1776

A few hours ago we rejoined the main army back at the Heights. This has been the first time in six days that I have been able to sit down and not be on watch. My regiment has been placed on reserve duty for some rest.

Howe accompanied with fifteen thousand redcoats crossed the river on the twenty-second. They bivouacked at the exact same location where we had started along the tree line. On the twenty-third, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth we slowed their approach with the tactics discussed before. It was working smoothly; our number remained the same while theirs lowered. However, on the twenty-fifth our energy was depleted. We were unable to fall back as uniformed and as quickly as before, as a result we suffered heavy casualties. Calloway was shot in the back of his right thigh, I tripped from carrying to much ammunition and broke my index and pinky fingers on my left hand, several of my friends where taken prisoner because their legs would no longer carry them. On the twenty-sixth, Howe left about a third of his forces behind to cover the supply lines, while the rest continued to chase us until sunrise this morning. After a significant loss, the sight of these fortifications was a beautiful God sent.

August 28, 1776

Just when I thought that I would be able to rest for a few days, I canât. The officers have spread that word that tomorrow morning we (all nine thousand of us) will be evacuating Brooklyn Heights, and withdrawing to Manhattan. I will be amazed if this operation runs smoothly, because nine thousand men plus equipment plus cargo is not an easy thing to do. Only a few more hours before we move.

August 30, 1776

We arrived here at Kipâs Bay very early this morning soaked and chilled. Last night in light mist rain and dense fog, all nine thousand men, equipment, and cargo were ferried across to Manhattan. All that could be heard was the rowing of the oars against the boats hull and the rush of the East river. The men were huddled together for warmth; the only way that you could tell that they were men was the steam from their breath. Once we landed, it took several hours to disembark then all the regiments formed up and marched north to Fort Washington. However, my regiment was instructed to proceed to Kipâs Bay to assist the militia stationed there. We have garrisoned the fort and are waiting for the red coats once again.

September 8, 1776

No sign from the British. Their forces have not moved in days. No doubt they are reinforcing from the southern supply lines.

September 18, 1776

We have bivouacked here for the night. Currently, the Continental army and I are in White Plains with the British tailing us. The events that I am about to retell are possibly the most significant events in the war thus far. On the fifteenth Kipâs Bay was attacked by British frigates. Their cannons heavily bombarded our position. As we began to take heavy casualties, the ill trained militia (or farmers with guns) started to waver. Next, Sir Henry Clinton and his light infantry advanced across Newtown creek, once he was within range the frigates stopped firing. At this point, the militia turned and ran in spite of my regiment trying to hold them back. Eventually we gave up and began our retreat north to fort Washington.

On our way, we bumped into Knowlton and his Rangers. He mentioned that the British had stopped their chase at McGowanâs Pass. I requested to captain Harris for me to stay behind and help the rear guard. I was granted my request; little did I know what I was getting into. My regiment continued north and I remained behind with the Rangers.

Around ten thirty on the sixteenth, one of the scouts reported that the Black Watch was spearheading the English advancement. Knowlton nodded, then said ãWe are going to delay their advance as much as possible, and remember men ÎAlways in front!'ä With that all one hundred and twenty rangers said ãAlways in front!ä It was difficult not to be impressed by these elite fighting men. Knowlton walked to the front of his men, waved his musket into the air, and pointed it forward. Instead of moving as one, the men split into single lines and advanced like snakes through the woods.

We reached the pass and sure enough the Black Watch was there. I heard a raven call from the front of our lines, but the source of the noise was Knowlton not a bird. I looked up towards his position and saw him make three fist movements, and pointed to six men. Those men loaded their muskets and fixed bayonets. We fell back to the ridge on Harlem Cove, to watch. Just as we reached the top I saw bravery that I had never before encountered. Those six men ran straight towards the Black Watch firing as many shots as they could get off, screaming at the top of their lungs. After a few rallies from the English, the Rangers retreated and ran towards the middle of the cove. We were directly above them on the heights. Just then an insulting fox call was heard from the English position and they began to give chase. As they approached our position, we let them pass us just a bit. Then like a gate hinge we swung down the heights in the most beautiful flank attack I have ever been a part of. Just then from behind us, another US regiment lead by Major Leich came swinging down the heights. Stunned and confused the Red Coats turned and ran back towards their main position at the pass. But as we chased them, Knowlton had caught a shot in the small of his back, and died a few minutes later. I thought nothing could break these men, nothing could phase them; except for this. We knew that there was not much time before the British returned, so we marched towards fort Washington.

Our win at Harlem Heights today gave hope that was desperately needed to the Continental army. It proved that our General was not making mistakes and it is possible for us to fight back against a larger stronger force..

Two thousand men were left at fort Washington to defend our escape. After we move out of White Plains we will continue the retreat into New Jersey. However, I feel that I may not make the trek. During the retreat today I was shot in my hip and it has already been infected.

I am tired of writing and I am already tired of this war but I am not tired of its cause. I will continue for however long my legs carry me·