Landing at Kip's Bay

Landing at Kip's Bay
Part of the American Revolutionary War
The British Landing at Kip’s Bay, New York Island, 15 September 1776 by Robert Cleveley, 1777 (Royal Museums Greenwich)
Date September 15, 1776 Location Kip's Bay, Manhattan, New York 40°44′11″N 73°58′29″W / 40.73639°N 73.97472°W / 40.73639; -73.97472 Result British victory[1]
Belligerents
Great Britain Hesse-Cassel	United States
Commanders and leaders
Henry Clinton Richard Howe	George Washington
Strength
4,000[2]	500[3]
Casualties and losses
12 killed and wounded[4]	50 killed 320 captured[5]

The Landing at Kip's Bay was a British amphibious landing during the New York campaign in the American Revolutionary War on September 15, 1776. It occurred on the East River shore of Manhattan north of what then constituted New York City.

Heavy advance fire from British naval forces in the East River caused the inexperienced militia guarding the landing area to flee, allowing the British to land unopposed at Kip's Bay. Skirmishes in the aftermath of the landing resulted in the British capture of some of those militia. British maneuvers following the landing very nearly cut off the escape route of some Continental Army forces stationed further southeast on the island. The flight of American troops was so rapid that General George Washington, who was attempting to rally them, was left exposed dangerously close to British lines.

The operation was a British success. It forced the Continental Army to withdraw to Harlem Heights, ceding control of New York City on the lower half of the island. However, Washington established strong positions on Harlem Heights, which he defended in a fierce skirmish between the two armies the following day. General William Howe, unwilling to risk a costly frontal attack, did not attempt to advance further up the island for another two months.