battle of Paulus Hook
battle of Paulus Hook
Paulus Hook was a set of fortifications held by the British at what
is now Jersey City, where the old canal entered the Hudson, a
few hundred yards north of Ellis Island. It has since been
developed. Originally a small peninsula surrounded by marsh, it
connected the mainland by a causeway, and was the main
landing point before the war for travelers going into Bergen
County from New York City. The British Navy protected it and its
position did not allow the Americans to try and hold it before the
British arrival. The causeway could be crossed only at low tide.
Paulus Hook became a thorn in the side of the Whigs of the
Hackensack Valley. Constantly, Loyalist patrolled they raided
Bergen County, pillaging, foraging and capturing people. Finally,
in 1779, Major Henry Lee "Light Horse Harry", led a corps of light
dragoons, to capture it, following the success of the capture of
Stony Point, in New York below West Point, which had been
taken by the British. Lee had a minor part in that assault as well.
In August, Lee gathered intelligence from the local militia about
Paulus Hook, and sent Captain Allen McLane to reconnoiter the
area. It became necessary to make a night assault during low
tide. Timing was very critical.
The attack was finally made on August 19th, in the pre-dawn
hour of 4 AM. Loyalist Col. Buskirk lead out a patrol of over 100
men that night, but the two forces luckily did not meet. Lee sent
in his dragoons and infantry to guard the roads near the Hook.
Once near the Hook, they went into the woods and became
disoriented, losing two hours. The attack was made in three
columns, one to each side of the main attack. Rushing in with
the bayonets, the garrison was surprised and quickly over run.
However due to the lateness of the attack, the Americans had to
quickly withdraw before more British troops could be brought in
by boat. Rather then have their retreat cut off by the tide they left
just as quick as they attacked. Rather then torching the fort Lee
decided against burning any buildings because they held sick
British soldiers along with women and children.
is now Jersey City, where the old canal entered the Hudson, a
few hundred yards north of Ellis Island. It has since been
developed. Originally a small peninsula surrounded by marsh, it
connected the mainland by a causeway, and was the main
landing point before the war for travelers going into Bergen
County from New York City. The British Navy protected it and its
position did not allow the Americans to try and hold it before the
British arrival. The causeway could be crossed only at low tide.
Paulus Hook became a thorn in the side of the Whigs of the
Hackensack Valley. Constantly, Loyalist patrolled they raided
Bergen County, pillaging, foraging and capturing people. Finally,
in 1779, Major Henry Lee "Light Horse Harry", led a corps of light
dragoons, to capture it, following the success of the capture of
Stony Point, in New York below West Point, which had been
taken by the British. Lee had a minor part in that assault as well.
In August, Lee gathered intelligence from the local militia about
Paulus Hook, and sent Captain Allen McLane to reconnoiter the
area. It became necessary to make a night assault during low
tide. Timing was very critical.
The attack was finally made on August 19th, in the pre-dawn
hour of 4 AM. Loyalist Col. Buskirk lead out a patrol of over 100
men that night, but the two forces luckily did not meet. Lee sent
in his dragoons and infantry to guard the roads near the Hook.
Once near the Hook, they went into the woods and became
disoriented, losing two hours. The attack was made in three
columns, one to each side of the main attack. Rushing in with
the bayonets, the garrison was surprised and quickly over run.
However due to the lateness of the attack, the Americans had to
quickly withdraw before more British troops could be brought in
by boat. Rather then have their retreat cut off by the tide they left
just as quick as they attacked. Rather then torching the fort Lee
decided against burning any buildings because they held sick
British soldiers along with women and children.