fort washington

Alternate uses: Fort Washington (disambiguation)

Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. The fort was held by American forces as the British completed their occupation of New York City in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. British General William Howe ordered Hessian mercenaries under Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen to capture the fort from the Patriots. They did so on November 16, 1776, taking about 2700 prisoners and a large store of supplies. Many of those captured subsequently died in prison ships anchored in New York Harbor. The modern day location of Fort Washington is marked by Bennet Park at the intersection of Fort Washington Ave. and 183rd St. in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. The park is a few blocks north of the George Washington Bridge. Along the banks of the Hudson River below is Fort Washington Park and the small point of land alternately called Jeffery's Hook or Fort Washington Point.

Fort Washington

See also