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chapter three 1775–1776 British Occupation of New York and New Jersey Throughout 1775 and the first half of 1776, the mid-Atlantic colonies were beset by uncertainty, disruption, and occasional violence. Colonial legislatures tried to assert more power and influence over their inhabitants, while colonial governors and other administrators increasingly wielded their authority in the name of the Crown. Once fighting broke out in the Massachusetts Bay colony in April 1775 and again in June, Patriots farther south insisted on their right to recruit young men into the colonial militia, seize artillery and munitions, and chastise those who zealously defended the British Government. In response, British military and naval officers warned the colonists not to harass His Majesty’s Forces on land and sea, or there would be swift and harsh retribution. By the spring of 1776, thousands of Patriots gathered in New York City, preparing for what they knew would be a formidable assault. At the same time, General William Howe was consolidating his troops and ships at Halifax, Nova Scotia, awaiting reinforcements from England. Once these arrived, he proceeded to Staten Island where he encountered little or no resistance . In fact, he received a warm reception. During the next six weeks, the British fortified their positions around the city of New York and were joined by a contingent of 8,000 Hessian troops. On 21 August, under the command of Earl Cornwallis, a flotilla of British seamen landed on Long Island, overwhelming the inexperienced and ill-prepared Patriots who retreated first to the heights of Haarlem and then to White Plains where they were decisively defeated on 28 October. Shortly afterwards a huge fire swept through large neighborhoods of New York City, completely destroying the colonial settlement, and both sides blamed the other for setting the blaze. At the end of September, the Patriots still held Fort Washington at the northeast tip of Manhattan. Not until 16 November were the British and Hessians able to oust them, aided by a set of plans stolen by a Rebel defector. Nearly 3,000 Patriots were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner in the fierce fighting, making it the worst disaster they had so far sustained. 185 186 the american revolution through british eyes During the latter half of November and throughout much of December, the theater of war shifted across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Cornwallis pursued the Patriots retreating toward Pennsylvania, capturing Newark and Brunswick en route. With winter approaching, Howe ordered Cornwallis to quarter his troops in Brunswick until the weather improved. Ironically, this enabled Washington and his men to escape across the Delaware River before they were caught by the pursuing Hessians. Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton occupied Newport, Rhode Island, deemed an ideal naval base during the winter months. The Continental Congress recognized that Washington desperately needed more manpower, and so on 12 December they promoted him to Commander-in-Chief of the Army which gave him greater leverage persuading his weary and discouraged troops to continue their military service beyond their year-long commitment. The next day, General Charles Lee, who always questioned Washington’s orders , was taken prisoner, and so without opposition Washington ordered an attack on Trenton. On 26 December the Hessians were caught unawares, many fled and laid down their arms, and their Commander was mortally wounded. With this turn of events, the British began to realize that the Patriots were far from a spent force and the war would not end as quickly as they had assumed. In fact, they recognized that they were temporarily stymied and vulnerable to renewed Rebel attacks. Cadwallader Colden to Earl of Dartmouth, 4 January 1775, New York.1 . . . The Measures pursued, as well by the Southern as Eastern Provinces, puts the Moderate and Peaceable Disposition, which prevails among the Majority of the People of this Province, daily to the trial. Enthusiasm is ever contagious; and when propagated by every Artifice, becomes almost irresistible. The Assembly of this Province, as I formerly informed Your Lordship, are to meet next Tuesday. If I find that there will not be a Majority for prudent Measures, I shall incline to prorogue them for a short time, that the Plan of the new Parliament may be known here, before the Assembly do anything. On the other hand, there is room to fear that if the Assembly do not meet, an attempt will be made to convene a Provincial Congress, in imitation of our Neighbours, which may be of worse Consequence...

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