Landing at Kip’s Bay (1776): British Invasion of Manhattan

Battle at a Glance

Historical Background: The Struggle for New York

New York’s Strategic Importance

In 1776, New York occupied one of the most strategically important positions in British North America. Its harbor provided access to the Atlantic Ocean, while the Hudson River offered a potential military corridor into the interior.

British control of New York would provide a major naval base and threaten communications between New England and the colonies farther south.

Washington’s Decision to Defend the City

After the British evacuation of Boston in March 1776, George Washington moved much of the Continental Army to New York.

He recognized the city’s strategic importance but also understood that its islands and waterways made defense difficult against an enemy possessing overwhelming naval superiority.

The Arrival of the British Expedition

During the summer of 1776, General Sir William Howe assembled a powerful army around Staten Island. British reinforcements and German auxiliary troops expanded the expedition into one of the largest military forces deployed in North America during the Revolution.

The Battle of Long Island

On August 27, 1776, Howe defeated American forces on Long Island. British troops executed a successful flanking maneuver and forced the defenders back toward Brooklyn Heights.

The defeat placed Washington’s army in danger of being trapped between British infantry and the East River.

The Evacuation of Brooklyn

During the night of August 29–30, Washington withdrew thousands of soldiers across the East River to Manhattan.

The operation preserved the Continental Army but left the British in possession of western Long Island.

The Problem of Defending Manhattan

Manhattan was long and narrow, with the Hudson River on its western side and the East River on its eastern side.

British naval superiority allowed Howe to choose among numerous potential landing sites. Washington could not defend every stretch of shoreline with equal strength.

The Continental Army’s Divided Positions

American forces occupied lower Manhattan, central positions along the island, and northern defensive works near Harlem Heights and Kingsbridge.

These dispersed formations faced the danger of being separated by a successful British landing between them.

Washington’s Growing Doubts

After the defeat on Long Island, Washington increasingly questioned the wisdom of holding New York City.

The army lacked the naval strength needed to prevent the British from landing behind its defensive lines.

The Decision to Evacuate New York

American commanders eventually decided to abandon lower Manhattan, but the evacuation was not completed before the British attack.

Troops, artillery, supplies, and equipment still had to be moved northward.

The Peace Conference on Staten Island

On September 11, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge met Admiral Lord Richard Howe on Staten Island.

The discussions failed to produce a political settlement, and military operations continued.

British Preparations for Another Landing

Howe planned an amphibious operation to secure Manhattan and force the Americans from New York City.

Rather than assault the strongest northern defenses, he selected Kip’s Bay on the eastern shore of the island.

The Connecticut Militia at Kip’s Bay

The American shoreline position was defended largely by Connecticut militia under Colonel William Douglas.

Many of the soldiers were inexperienced and occupied shallow defensive works that offered limited protection against heavy naval artillery.

The Eve of the Invasion

By September 14, British landing boats and warships were being positioned for the attack.

American forces remained stretched across Manhattan, and the withdrawal of troops from lower New York City was still incomplete.

Commanders & Participating Forces

American Command Structure

George Washington

Washington was responsible for defending New York while preserving the Continental Army. At Kip’s Bay, those objectives collided.

He wanted troops to resist the British landing long enough for the rest of the army to escape. When the militia fled, he confronted the possibility that British forces might divide and destroy his command.

Colonel William Douglas

Douglas commanded Connecticut troops defending the Kip’s Bay sector. His soldiers occupied shallow earthworks near the East River shoreline.

Their position was exposed to a concentrated bombardment from British warships.

Connecticut Militia Regiments

Historical accounts identify troops under officers including Cooke, Pettibone, and Talcott within Douglas’s command.

Researchers should distinguish the immediate shoreline defenders from nearby formations that became involved in the retreat.

Israel Putnam’s Division

Putnam commanded thousands of troops stationed in lower Manhattan.

The British landing threatened to sever their northern escape route. Their withdrawal became one of the most consequential movements of the day.

American Reinforcements

Continental and militia formations moved toward the threatened sector, but the retreating shoreline defenders spread confusion through the approaching troops.

Some reinforcements also withdrew rather than form an effective defensive line.

British Command Structure

British Regular Infantry

The landing force included experienced British regular soldiers trained for coordinated infantry operations.

Their deployment from boats followed a naval bombardment intended to suppress the shoreline defenders.

Hessian Troops

German soldiers serving under British command participated in the invasion.

Often described collectively as Hessians, these troops came from German principalities whose rulers supplied soldiers to Britain under military agreements.

The Initial Landing Force

Approximately 4,000 British and German soldiers participated in the first assault wave.

Additional troops landed as the British established control of the shoreline.

Royal Navy Support

Five British warships provided the principal bombardment supporting the landing.

These included HMS Phoenix, HMS Roebuck, HMS Orpheus, HMS Rose, and HMS Carysfort.

Distinguishing Battle Strength from Campaign Strength

The approximately 4,000 troops in the initial landing should not be confused with Howe’s much larger army in the New York Campaign.

Similarly, the approximately 450–500 shoreline defenders represented only a small part of Washington’s army on Manhattan.

Battlefield Geography & Terrain

The Island of Manhattan

Manhattan’s narrow shape made it vulnerable to an enemy able to land troops along either shore.

A British force moving westward across the island could threaten the routes connecting American troops in lower Manhattan with their comrades farther north.

Kip’s Bay

Kip’s Bay was a shallow indentation along Manhattan’s eastern shoreline near present-day East 34th Street.

The bay took its name from the Kip family, whose property occupied part of the surrounding area.

The East River

The East River separated Manhattan from Long Island and provided the route for the British amphibious operation.

Royal Navy control of the waterway allowed landing boats to move toward the shore under the protection of warships.

Newtown Creek

British landing craft assembled near Newtown Creek on the Long Island side of the East River.

From this staging area, the boats could cross toward Kip’s Bay in coordinated waves.

The Shoreline Defenses

American troops occupied shallow trenches and breastworks near the water.

These positions were poorly suited to resisting a concentrated bombardment from heavy naval guns.

Murray Hill

West of the landing area, Murray Hill offered elevated ground and routes into the island’s interior.

British troops advancing inland could use this area to threaten American communications.

The Post Road

Roads running north and south through Manhattan were essential for the movement of troops and supplies.

American soldiers fleeing the landing area converged upon these routes, creating congestion and confusion.

The Western Escape Route

American troops withdrawing from lower Manhattan moved northward along the island’s western side.

The route enabled Putnam’s division to escape before British forces could block its passage.

Harlem Heights

Harlem Heights offered stronger defensive ground farther north.

Washington concentrated his army there after abandoning lower Manhattan.

Why the Landing Site Mattered

Kip’s Bay offered the British a location where they could land between American forces in lower Manhattan and those defending the northern portion of the island.

The position created an opportunity to cut the American army in two, but the opportunity depended upon a rapid advance inland.

Weapons, Equipment & Logistics

British Naval Artillery

The Royal Navy provided the overwhelming firepower that made the landing possible.

Five warships brought approximately eighty-four guns to bear during the principal preparatory bombardment.

The Bombardment

British cannon fired heavy iron shot toward the American earthworks.

The bombardment threw earth and debris into the trenches, disrupted the defenders, and made organized resistance extremely difficult.

American Defensive Weapons

Connecticut militia carried a mixture of muskets and other available weapons.

Some men lacked adequate firearms or equipment, reflecting the difficulties of rapidly mobilizing inexperienced troops.

British Landing Boats

The invasion required a large fleet of flatboats and other small craft capable of transporting infantry across the East River.

More than eighty boats were assembled for the operation.

Amphibious Coordination

The British synchronized the movement of their landing craft with naval fire.

The warships suppressed the shoreline defenses immediately before the infantry approached.

British Infantry Equipment

Regular infantry carried flintlock muskets, bayonets, ammunition, and field equipment.

The bayonet was especially important in close fighting against troops who lacked effective defensive formations.

German Auxiliary Equipment

Hessian troops carried weapons and equipment appropriate to their formations, including muskets and bayonets.

Their disciplined advance contributed to the pressure upon the American defenders.

American Supply Evacuation

Washington’s army was attempting to remove artillery, ammunition, stores, and other equipment from lower Manhattan.

The sudden British landing interrupted this process and forced commanders to prioritize the escape of soldiers.

Transport and Road Congestion

American troops, wagons, and supplies competed for limited routes leading north.

The retreat became increasingly confused as soldiers from different formations moved in conflicting directions.

British Naval Superiority

British control of the surrounding waterways allowed Howe to choose his landing site and support the assault with artillery.

Washington possessed no comparable naval force capable of preventing the crossing.

Intelligence & Operational Planning

Howe’s Operational Objective

Howe intended to secure Manhattan and force Washington’s army to abandon New York City.

A landing between the American northern and southern positions offered the possibility of trapping troops still occupying lower Manhattan.

The Choice of Kip’s Bay

Kip’s Bay offered a landing site within reach of British forces on Long Island.

Its location threatened the American line of communications without requiring an assault against the strongest defenses farther north.

British Naval Reconnaissance

Royal Navy vessels operated along Manhattan’s waterways before the landing.

Their movements helped identify American positions and prepare the bombardment.

Deception and Demonstrations

British naval movements elsewhere around Manhattan complicated Washington’s effort to identify the intended landing site.

American commanders had to consider several possible approaches.

Washington’s Defensive Problem

Washington could not concentrate his entire army at one shoreline position without leaving other approaches exposed.

He therefore relied upon dispersed defenses and the ability to move reinforcements toward the threatened sector.

The Weakness of the Kip’s Bay Position

The shoreline was defended by relatively inexperienced troops in shallow earthworks.

Against a coordinated naval bombardment and amphibious landing, the position offered little margin for error.

British Preparations

The British assembled landing craft near Newtown Creek and positioned warships to cover the crossing.

The operation required careful timing between naval artillery and infantry movement.

The American Evacuation Was Incomplete

Thousands of American troops remained in lower Manhattan when the British attacked.

This created the possibility of a much larger British victory if the landing force advanced rapidly across the island.

The Failure to Establish a Defensive Line

Washington attempted to rally troops west of the landing area.

However, retreating militia and approaching reinforcements became entangled in the confusion, preventing the establishment of a coherent defensive position.

Howe’s Operational Pause

After securing the landing area, British forces did not immediately drive across Manhattan with sufficient speed to block the western escape route.

The delay allowed Putnam’s troops to withdraw northward.

Landing at Kip’s Bay: Interactive Timeline

Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions

Phase One: The British Naval Approach

British warships entered the East River and positioned themselves opposite the American defenses.

Their guns could deliver concentrated fire against the shallow trenches along the shoreline.

Phase Two: The Preparatory Bombardment

The Royal Navy opened a powerful cannonade against the American position.

The bombardment disrupted the defenders before British infantry reached the shore.

Phase Three: The Connecticut Militia Break

The inexperienced militia abandoned their earthworks as the British landing boats approached.

The withdrawal left the shoreline largely undefended.

Phase Four: The British Landing

British and German infantry came ashore in organized waves.

Because the shoreline defense had collapsed, the landing encountered relatively little sustained opposition.

Phase Five: Washington’s Arrival

Washington rode toward the fighting after hearing the bombardment.

He encountered retreating troops and attempted to establish a new defensive line.

Phase Six: Washington’s Furious Response

Contemporary accounts describe Washington losing his temper as soldiers continued fleeing despite his commands.

He reportedly threw his hat to the ground, struck or threatened fleeing officers, and attempted personally to turn men back toward the enemy.

Accounts differ in their precise details, but they consistently describe a commander furious at the collapse of resistance.

Phase Seven: The Danger to Washington

Washington remained dangerously close to the advancing British troops.

His aides eventually persuaded or compelled him to withdraw before he could be captured.

Phase Eight: The Threat to Putnam

British forces advancing westward could have cut off thousands of American troops still stationed in lower Manhattan.

The danger was especially serious because the Americans were already withdrawing supplies and personnel.

Phase Nine: The British Pause

The British did not advance across Manhattan quickly enough to close the western escape route.

Howe’s decision to consolidate the landing rather than immediately pursue the retreating Americans limited the strategic result.

Phase Ten: Putnam’s Escape

Putnam’s troops withdrew northward and eventually rejoined the main American army.

Their escape preserved thousands of soldiers who might otherwise have been captured.

Conceptual Tactical Diagram

The diagram illustrates the British crossing, the collapse of the American shoreline defense, and the escape of Putnam’s division. It is schematic and not drawn to scale.

Why the Shoreline Defense Failed

The American troops were inexperienced, poorly protected, and subjected to overwhelming naval artillery.

Once the initial defenders fled, panic spread to other formations attempting to reinforce the position.

Why Washington Could Not Restore Order

Washington arrived after the shoreline defense had already collapsed.

The advancing British infantry and the confusion among retreating soldiers made it nearly impossible to establish a new defensive line.

Why Howe Did Not Destroy Putnam’s Division

Howe secured the landing area but did not immediately move westward with sufficient speed to block the American escape route.

The resulting delay allowed Putnam to withdraw thousands of troops from lower Manhattan.

The Decisive Military Lesson

Kip’s Bay demonstrated the power of a coordinated amphibious assault supported by naval artillery.

It also demonstrated that tactical success could fall short of strategic destruction when a victorious commander failed to exploit an opening rapidly.

The Soldier’s Experience

The Connecticut Militiamen

Many defenders at Kip’s Bay were inexperienced soldiers who had received limited training.

Some lacked adequate weapons and equipment, while others had never experienced heavy artillery fire.

Waiting in the Shoreline Trenches

The Americans occupied shallow earthworks overlooking the East River.

From these positions, they could see British warships and landing boats preparing for the assault.

The Naval Bombardment

When the British opened fire, heavy cannon shot struck the American defenses.

Earth, smoke, and debris filled the trenches, making it difficult for the defenders to observe the approaching landing craft.

The Collapse of the Defense

The militiamen began withdrawing from the shoreline as the bombardment continued and British infantry approached.

The retreat quickly became disorganized.

The British Landing Force

British regulars and German auxiliary troops crossed the East River in crowded landing boats.

They carried muskets, bayonets, and equipment necessary to establish a foothold on Manhattan.

The First British Troops Ashore

The landing force encountered limited organized resistance because the American shoreline defense had already broken.

British troops advanced inland and pursued retreating soldiers.

American Prisoners

Hundreds of Americans were captured during the operation.

Some contemporary accounts describe violence against soldiers attempting to surrender, particularly during the confused pursuit following the landing.

Washington’s Personal Intervention

Washington rode into the retreating formations and attempted to stop the flight.

His anger reflected both the immediate military danger and his frustration that troops had abandoned a position before they could meaningfully delay the enemy.

Washington’s Near Capture

As British soldiers advanced, Washington remained dangerously exposed.

His aides had to persuade him to leave the threatened position.

The Retreat from New York City

Putnam’s troops faced a different danger: they were south of the British landing and could be cut off.

They moved northward through Manhattan while British forces established themselves inland.

Exhaustion and Confusion

American soldiers marched through crowded roads with limited information about British movements.

The retreat required rapid movement while preserving as much equipment and organization as possible.

The Arrival at Harlem Heights

Surviving American troops eventually concentrated in northern Manhattan.

The army had lost New York City but retained enough strength to continue resisting the British.

The Human Meaning of Kip’s Bay

The landing exposed the difficulties of building an army from inexperienced recruits while confronting a professional enemy supported by powerful naval forces.

It also revealed the emotional strain upon Washington as he attempted to hold together an army whose survival was essential to the Revolution.

Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?

The Landing at Kip’s Bay involved several different American formations. A soldier’s presence in Manhattan on September 15, 1776, does not necessarily establish that he defended the shoreline or witnessed Washington’s attempt to rally the retreating militia.

American Formations

Colonel Douglas’s Command

Douglas’s Connecticut troops are the principal starting point for researching the immediate shoreline defense.

Researchers should identify the soldier’s regiment and company before assigning him to the trenches at Kip’s Bay.

Connecticut Militia Service

Militia records may identify men who served only briefly during the New York Campaign.

These records should be compared with contemporary officer correspondence and later pension applications.

Parsons’s Brigade

Some troops under Parsons were involved in the attempted American response to the landing.

Company-level records are necessary to distinguish those who reached the threatened sector from soldiers positioned elsewhere.

Fellows’s Brigade

Fellows’s troops were among the formations affected by the confusion following the collapse of the shoreline defense.

Researchers should avoid assuming that every soldier in the brigade participated in the initial retreat.

Putnam’s Division

Putnam commanded troops stationed in lower Manhattan.

Their experience on September 15 was primarily one of withdrawal rather than defense of the Kip’s Bay shoreline.

British Regular Infantry

British muster rolls can help identify soldiers assigned to regiments participating in the landing.

Researchers should distinguish the initial assault wave from later troops brought ashore after the bridgehead was secured.

Hessian Service

German auxiliary soldiers participated in the operation.

German military records, officer journals, and regimental histories may provide information not preserved in British sources.

Royal Navy Personnel

Naval muster books and ship logs are important for identifying sailors who served aboard the vessels bombarding the American defenses.

Relevant vessels include Phoenix, Roebuck, Orpheus, Rose, and Carysfort.

American Prisoners

Because many Americans were captured, prisoner records may be especially valuable.

Researchers should compare capture dates and locations with service records and later claims.

Revolutionary War Pension Applications

American veterans sometimes described service during the New York Campaign, including the retreat from Manhattan.

References to Kip’s Bay, New York City, or Harlem Heights should be examined carefully because these events occurred within a short period.

Common Research Errors

Do not confuse the Landing at Kip’s Bay with the Battle of Long Island.

Do not assume that all Connecticut soldiers on Manhattan served under Douglas.

Do not treat Putnam’s retreat from lower Manhattan as part of the initial shoreline defense.

Do not assume that every soldier in Howe’s army participated in the first landing wave.

Battle Outcome & Casualties

British Victory

The British successfully landed on Manhattan and forced the Americans to abandon the Kip’s Bay defenses.

The operation allowed Howe to occupy New York City and establish a major British base.

American Shoreline Losses

The defenders suffered killed, wounded, and captured during the bombardment and subsequent retreat.

Mount Vernon’s battle summary reports approximately 60 Americans killed or wounded and 367 captured.

Alternative American Estimates

Other accounts report approximately 50 killed and 320 captured.

Differences reflect the difficulty of reconstructing losses across the initial landing, pursuit, and retreat.

British Casualties

British losses were comparatively light.

A commonly cited accounting gives approximately 12 killed or wounded.

The Loss of New York City

The British captured lower Manhattan after the American withdrawal.

New York remained under British occupation until 1783.

Putnam’s Division Survives

Despite the British success, thousands of American soldiers escaped from lower Manhattan.

Their survival prevented Howe from achieving a much larger victory.

Washington Preserves the Army

Washington lost the city but retained the principal fighting force needed to continue the Revolution.

The preservation of the army remained more important than defending a position that British naval superiority made increasingly difficult to hold.

The Limits of the British Victory

The British captured territory but failed to destroy the American army.

Washington’s troops remained capable of fighting, and the campaign continued.

Strategic Aftermath

British Occupation of New York

The capture of lower Manhattan gave Britain control of one of the most important ports in North America.

New York became a major British military and naval base for the remainder of the Revolution.

The Continental Army Withdraws North

Washington concentrated his troops near Harlem Heights.

These positions offered stronger defensive ground than the exposed shoreline at Kip’s Bay.

The Battle of Harlem Heights

On September 16, American troops engaged British forces north of the city.

The Americans fought effectively and gained a morale-boosting success after the humiliation of the previous day.

Washington’s Leadership Under Pressure

Kip’s Bay revealed Washington’s frustration with inexperienced troops and the difficulty of maintaining discipline during a retreat.

His personal intervention nearly placed him in enemy hands.

The Importance of Preserving the Army

Although Washington lost New York City, the Continental Army survived.

Its continued existence prevented Britain from ending the rebellion through a single decisive victory.

Howe’s Missed Opportunity

British commanders had an opportunity to isolate troops in lower Manhattan.

The failure to advance rapidly across the island allowed Putnam’s division to escape.

The Great Fire of New York

On September 21, 1776, a major fire destroyed a large portion of New York City.

The cause remains historically disputed, and the fire occurred after the British occupation began.

The Campaign Continues

During October and November, British forces continued operations intended to force Washington from his remaining positions.

The Americans eventually withdrew farther north and into New Jersey.

The Battle of Fort Washington

On November 16, British and German forces captured Fort Washington in northern Manhattan.

The defeat resulted in substantial American prisoner losses and further weakened Washington’s position around New York.

The New Jersey Retreat

Following additional setbacks, Washington withdrew across New Jersey toward the Delaware River.

The campaign placed the Continental Army under severe pressure.

The Trenton Counterattack

On December 26, 1776, Washington’s army attacked Hessian troops at Trenton.

The victory helped restore Patriot confidence after months of defeats in New York and New Jersey.

Why Kip’s Bay Matters

The Landing at Kip’s Bay demonstrated the effectiveness of British amphibious operations and the vulnerability of poorly prepared shoreline defenses.

It also illustrated the importance of exploiting tactical success before an opponent can withdraw.

For Washington, the battle was a humiliating defeat, but the escape of his army ensured that the war would continue.

Primary Sources & Historical Research

The Landing at Kip’s Bay is documented through Washington’s correspondence, British military dispatches, eyewitness accounts, regimental histories, and modern military studies. The most important research questions concern the timing of the bombardment, the collapse of the Connecticut militia, Washington’s conduct during the retreat, and the escape of Putnam’s division.

Primary Sources and Contemporary Evidence

1. George Washington to John Hancock, September 16, 1776. Washington’s official report describing the British landing and American withdrawal.
2. Benjamin Trumbull’s journal. An eyewitness account of the bombardment and retreat from the American position.
3. Joseph Plumb Martin, A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier. A retrospective soldier’s account providing insight into the New York Campaign.
4. British military dispatches from William Howe. Documents the British occupation of Manhattan and the campaign’s progress.
5. Royal Navy ship logs and dispatches. Evidence concerning the warships supporting the landing.
6. Contemporary maps of Manhattan and the East River. Essential for reconstructing the landing area, roads, and American retreat.

Historical Studies

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, The New York Campaign, 1776. Detailed military analysis of the British landing and Washington’s response.
2. U.S. Army Center of Military History, American Military History, Volume 1. Places the engagement within the larger Revolutionary War campaign.
3. Barnet Schecter, The Battle for New York: The City at the Heart of the American Revolution. A detailed study of the campaign and its geography.
4. David McCullough, 1776. Narrative account of Washington’s army and the New York Campaign.
5. Christopher Ward, The War of the Revolution. Broad military history of the Revolutionary War.
6. Henry P. Johnston, The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn. Detailed nineteenth-century study drawing upon contemporary accounts.

Online Historical Resources

1. George Washington’s Mount Vernon — Battle of Kip’s Bay. Battle history, strength estimates, casualties, and Washington’s response.
2. U.S. Army Center of Military History — The New York Campaign, 1776. Military analysis of the landing, British warships, and retreat.
3. U.S. Army Center of Military History — American Military History, Volume 1. New York Campaign strategic history.
4. Founders Online — National Archives. George Washington’s correspondence from September 1776.
5. National Archives — Revolutionary War Records. Military service and pension records.
6. Library of Congress — George Washington Papers. Contemporary military correspondence.
7. Henry P. Johnston — The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn. Historical narrative and primary-source references.
8. The National Archives, United Kingdom. British Army and Royal Navy records.

Research Notes and Historical Cautions

Battle date: The British landing occurred on September 15, 1776.

Location: Kip’s Bay was situated along the East River near present-day East 34th Street in Manhattan.

British command: General Sir William Howe directed the overall operation. General Henry Clinton commanded the principal landing force, while Admiral Lord Richard Howe directed naval support.

American command: George Washington commanded the Continental Army. Colonel William Douglas directed the immediate shoreline defense, and Israel Putnam commanded troops in lower Manhattan.

Initial strength: Approximately 4,000 British and German troops participated in the initial landing against roughly 450–500 shoreline defenders.

Naval support: Five principal British warships delivered the preparatory bombardment.

American defenses: The shallow earthworks offered limited protection against concentrated naval artillery.

Washington’s anger: Contemporary and later accounts describe Washington attempting to rally fleeing soldiers and becoming intensely angry. Specific quotations and gestures differ among sources and should not be presented as verbatim certainty without attribution.

Putnam’s retreat: American troops stationed in lower Manhattan escaped northward before British forces could block their route.

Casualties: Mount Vernon reports approximately 60 Americans killed or wounded and 367 captured, with 12 British killed or wounded. Other accounts provide somewhat different figures.

Strategic outcome: The British captured New York City but failed to destroy Washington’s army.

Subsequent battle: The Battle of Harlem Heights occurred the following day, September 16, 1776.