Battle of Young's House
Battle of Young's House | |||||||
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Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States | Great Britain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Joseph Thompson (POW) | Chapple Norton | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
250[1] (150 engaged)[2] | 550[3] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
14 killed 37 wounded 76 captured[3] |
5 killed 18 wounded[3] |
The Battle of Young's House was a skirmish fought outside New York City between British and American forces on February 3, 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. A British force attacked and destroyed a Continental Army outpost in Westchester County, New York.
Background
Following the
Battle
Possibly in retaliation for a raid in January 1780 by the Americans against a British outpost at
The outpost at Young's house was the central point for a garrison that guarded a portion of the American line extending about 2 miles (3.2 km) westward toward the Hudson River and a slightly longer distance to the east. The 250-man garrison consisted of five companies drawn from the Massachusetts 1st, 3rd, 9th, 14th, and 15th Regiments, and were under the overall command of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Thompson. Captains Stoddard and Roberts of the 15th and 1st were stationed to the west, Captain-Lieutenant Farley of the 9th and Captain Cooper of the 14th were stationed to the east, and Captain Watson of the 3rd was with Thompson at the house.[1] Shortly before the British arrived, a local man warned Thompson that a large number of British were on the way. Thompson apparently discounted the reported size of the force, since he only sent out messengers to recall the four companies out on guard duty.[8]
The first encounter between the two sides was between the vanguard of the British force and a picket guard consisting of a sergeant and his squad. The picket engaged the British, but was quickly overwhelmed by the horsemen and captured.[3] The British cavalry then rode on toward the house, where Captain Roberts and his company had already arrived and taken up a position on the house's right. After exchange fire at long range, the cavalry halted to wait for the infantry, which arrived at about the same time as Captain-Lieutenant Farley's company; the companies of Stoddard and Cooper did not arrive in time to participate. A hot fire then began between the three American companies and the British force which lasted about 15 minutes. The numerically superior British force flanked the Americans and successfully occupied the orchard that was behind the house. Roberts was mortally wounded, and the American line broke, with some soldiers fleeing into the house, while others tried to escape into the countryside. American troops in the house held out a little longer, but the British set fire to it along with its attached buildings, which forced the occupants to surrender, while cavalry troops chased down stragglers outside.[2]
Aftermath
76 American soldiers were captured by the British included Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, Captain Watson, and Captain-Lieutenant Farley, while 17 wounded Americans were left behind. The prisoners were taken to Kingsbridge.[2] Sources disagree whether Joseph Young was present during the battle. Some historians claim that he was taken prisoner in the December 1778 raid, while others suggest he was not captured until this action.[2][6] After the raid, Wilhelm von Knyphausen wrote to Norton to congratulate him:
His Excellency Lt. Genl. Knyphausen desires his thanks may be given in public orders, to Lt. Colo. Norton of the Brigade of Guards for his good Conduct & Gallant behavior in Attacking & forcing a Considerably body of the Rebels Advantagiously posted at Young’s House in the Neighbourhood of White Plains, on the Morning of the 3rd Inst. His Excellency returns his thanks to the officers & private Soldiers of the different detachments employed on this Service, & the Genl. is particularly obliged to the Officers & men of the West Chester Refugees, for their very determined behavior upon this as well as former occasions.[9]
Notes
References
- Dawson, Henry (1858). Battles of the United States. p. 579.
- Kwasny, Mark (30 July 1998). Washington's Partisan War. ISBN 9780873386111.
- MacKinnon, Daniel (1833). Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards. London: R. Bentley. pp. 7. OCLC 6077010.
- Ward, Christopher (1952). The War of the Revolution. New York: The MacMillan Company. OCLC 425995.
- Bolton, Robert. A history of the county of Westchester, vol 1 (local geography, property description)
- Comstock, Sarah (1914-07-19). On Old Saw Mill River Road, New York Times (describes where property is in more modern terms—on road between Sleepy Hollow and North White Plains)
- Schwab, John Christopher. The revolutionary history of Fort Number Eight on Morris Heights, New York City