FORT WASHINGTON, an important military post occupying the highest part of the island of Manhattan during the war of independence. It was on a promontory run ning into the Hudson river, about 10 m. from the southern point of the island, not far from the prcscht 185th street. After the battles of Long Island, Harlem, and White Plains, Washington retreated through New Jersey, leaving a considerable force in fort Washington. Sir William Howe, the British commander, undertook the capture of the fort, which was under command of col. Magaw. Works were erected by the British near Harlem river, to play on the opposite works of the Americans, and, every preparation being made, the garrison were summoned to surrender, on pain of being put to the sword. Col. Magaw replied that he should defend the place to the last extremity. The next morning, the royal army made four attacks. The first, on the side, was conducted by gen. Knyphausen; the second, on the e., by gen. Matthews, supported by lord Cornwallis; the third, by lieut.col. Stirling; and the fourth, by lord Percy. Soon after daybreak, Nov. 16, 1776, the cannonading began, and continued with great fury on both sides until noon. The Hessians under the command of gen. Knyphausen then filed into two columns, one of which, led by col: Rhalle, having ascended circuitously to the summit of the hill, penetrated through the advanced works of the Americans, and formed within a hundred yards of the covered way of the front.
The other column climbed the hill in a direct line; but in passing through a thick wood, suffered much by a well-directed fire from col. Rawling's regiment of riflemen. The second division made good their landing, and forced the Americans from their rocks and trees up a steep and rugged hill. The third division had to encounter a heavy fire previous to their landing, and then to ascend a woody promontory of very uneven sur face; but though the post was obstinately defended, it was carried by col. Stirling, who made 200 prisoners. The last division, under lord Percy, having surmounted incredi ble obstacles, carried the advanced works of the Americans. The British gen., after these decisive advantages, again summoned col. Magaw to surrender. The force of the assailants was too great to be resisted, the fort was too small to contain all the men, and the ammunition was nearly exhausted. The garrison, therefore, consisting of about 2,000 men, surrendered as prisoners of war.