Battle of Harlem Heights
The Battle of Harlem Heights was a battle in the Revolutionary War. It was held around the area of today's Morningside Heights on September 16, 1776.
During the Battle of New York (late summer 1776), as Washington's army was nearly destroyed by the British, Washington retreated across Manhattan. On September 16, 1776, Washington's army (2,000 men) held a series of high ground positions (occupying what is now Barnard College) and slowed down the pursuing British troops (5,000 men) long enough for the Continental Army to retreat in an orderly fashion. Supposedly, the pursuing British troops sounded a fox hunt bugle, meant to insult the Americans, which infuriated and rallied Washington's troops to hold the ground and inflict 400 casualties on the British, while suffering only 130 of their own.
It is commemorated by a plaque on the Broadway side of Mathematics Hall.
