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A History | Revolutionary War Battles | Washington's Retreat through New Jersey - 1776
Washington's Retreat through New Jersey - 1776
The final act of the Battles of New York was the British capture of Fort Washington. The Hudson River was guarded
by Fort Washington and Fort Lee, but the British managed to send ships past the forts without difficulty, thus
limiting their usefulness. The commander on the scene, Colonel Nathaniel Greene, believed that he could hold the
fort with the 3,000 men that he had. On November 27th, Howe struck the outer defenses of the fort. They were too
far away from the fort itself, and the British broke through. After suffering heavy losses but acquitting themselves
well, the fort surrendered. Two thousand seven hundred twenty-two American were captured. Howe soon took Fort Lee on
the New Jersey side and pursued Washington's forces all the way down New Jersey. He did not catch up, however, and
Washington was able to get away with his army more or less intact across the Delaware River.
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