Battle of Young's House
Encyclopedia
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
.
's successful occupation
of New York City
in 1776, the second year of the American Revolutionary War
, the areas surrounding the city that were between the American and British lines became a no man's land
. These areas, which included Westchester County, New York
and Greenwich, Connecticut
, were frequently the site of raiding actions between the combatants. At the end of 1779 this no man's land included Tarrytown
and White Plains
. The American lines were not far north of this area, extending into Mount Pleasant
. An outpost at Four Corners (in the present-day Thornwood
section of Mount Pleasant) occupied particularly advantageous ground, and its occupation was more than once disputed. The outpost was on the property of Joseph Young, a local landowner; his house and barns were occupied by Continental Army
troops beginning in August 1776. In December 1778 a British raid captured the small garrison posted there. They burned a barn but did not occupy the post, and it was promptly reoccupied by Continental Army troops in early 1779.
, the British decided to make a raid on the outpost at Young's House. On the night of February 2, Lieutenant Colonel Chapple Norton
and a mixed force left the heights near Fort Knyphausen (as the British called Fort Washington
). The force consisted of four flank companies from the 1st and 2nd Brigade of Guards
, 100 Hessians from two regiments stationed at Kingsbridge, a company of 40 mounted Loyalist
led by James DeLancey, and parties of mounted and unmounted Hessian jäger
s, numbering in total between five and six hundred men. They brought with them two small field pieces, and set out in sleighs owing to deep snow. However, both the sleighs and the field pieces were left behind when it was found that the men moved more quickly on foot. Because of the difficult conditions (including snow as much as 2 feet (61 cm) deep) the expedition did not reach the American lines until 9 am on February 3.
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. 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.
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.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
forces on February 3, 1780 during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. A British force attacked and destroyed a Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
outpost in Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
.
Background
Following the British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's successful occupation
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1776, the second year of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, the areas surrounding the city that were between the American and British lines became a no man's land
No man's land
No man's land is a term for land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dumping ground for refuse between fiefdoms...
. These areas, which included Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
and Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
, were frequently the site of raiding actions between the combatants. At the end of 1779 this no man's land included Tarrytown
Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro-North Hudson Line...
and White Plains
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
. The American lines were not far north of this area, extending into Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, New York
Mount Pleasant is a town in Westchester County, New York, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 43,724.-Geography:...
. An outpost at Four Corners (in the present-day Thornwood
Thornwood, New York
Thornwood is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester County, New York. The population was 3,759 at the 2010 census.-History:...
section of Mount Pleasant) occupied particularly advantageous ground, and its occupation was more than once disputed. The outpost was on the property of Joseph Young, a local landowner; his house and barns were occupied by Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
troops beginning in August 1776. In December 1778 a British raid captured the small garrison posted there. They burned a barn but did not occupy the post, and it was promptly reoccupied by Continental Army troops in early 1779.
Prelude
Possibly in retaliation for a raid in January 1780 by the Americans against a British outpost at KingsbridgeKingsbridge, Bronx
Kingsbridge is a working class residential neighborhood geographically located in the northwest Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 8. Its boundaries are Van Cortlandt Park to the north, Goulden Avenue to the east, West 225th Street to the south, and Irwin...
, the British decided to make a raid on the outpost at Young's House. On the night of February 2, Lieutenant Colonel Chapple Norton
Chapple Norton
General John Chapple Norton was a British Army officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and who later became a Member of Parliament for Guildford....
and a mixed force left the heights near Fort Knyphausen (as the British called Fort Washington
Fort Washington (New York)
Fort Washington was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. The Fort Washington Site is listed on the U.S...
). The force consisted of four flank companies from the 1st and 2nd Brigade of Guards
Brigade of Guards
The Brigade of Guards is a historical elite unit of the British Army, which has existed sporadically since the 17th century....
, 100 Hessians from two regiments stationed at Kingsbridge, a company of 40 mounted Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
led by James DeLancey, and parties of mounted and unmounted Hessian jäger
Jäger (military)
Jäger is a term that was adopted in the Enlightenment era in German-speaking states and others influenced by German military practice to describe a kind of light infantry, and it has continued in that use since then....
s, numbering in total between five and six hundred men. They brought with them two small field pieces, and set out in sleighs owing to deep snow. However, both the sleighs and the field pieces were left behind when it was found that the men moved more quickly on foot. Because of the difficult conditions (including snow as much as 2 feet (61 cm) deep) the expedition did not reach the American lines until 9 am on February 3.
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
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and a slightly longer distance to the east. The 250-man garrison consisted of five companies drawn from the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
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. 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.
Battle
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. 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 flanked the Americans and successfully occupied the orchard that was behind the house. Roberts was mortally wounded, and the American line broke, with some men fleeing into the house, while others tried to escape into the countryside. The men in the house held out a little longer, but the British infantry forced their way in and captured the surviving occupants, while the cavalry chased down stragglers outside.Aftermath
The British set fire to the house and its attached buildings, even though there were five wounded Americans inside. The prisoners, numbering 76, included Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, Captain Watson, and Captain-Lieutenant Farley, and 17 wounded men were left behind. The prisoners were taken to Kingsbridge.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.