Tag «Westchester County»

Attack on Fort Independence, New York

Queen's Rangers. Photo care of Queen's Rangers Historical Guard.

On January 17, 1777, Major General William Heath, under orders from General George Washington, took approximately 5,000 militia troops of the Hudson Valley army south to the Spuyten Duyvil at Kingsbridge, about a 15-mile trek. Washington had marched his main army into New Jersey to counter British General Howe’s threatened attack on Fort Washington and …

Battle of Pound Ridge, 1779

Banestra Tarleton raiding Patriot settlements.

The onset was violent, and the conflict carried on principally with the broad sword. By John Pezzola. John formerly served in the United States Army. He received a master’s degree in Military History and Civil War Studies. He presently teaches 7th-grade US history and military history at American Military University. Encamped at an outpost in …

Banastre Tarleton’s First Commanding Raid

Pompous, mercifulness, void of empathy, this British cavalryman’s ambitious impulses and self-glorifying ego demanded that all under his command follow his lead in a blood fest carved throughout the colonies. Nicknamed ‘Bloody Ban’ for his ruthlessness, Banastre Tarleton was hated and feared by American patriots throughout the war. His legacy was such, that when Hollywood …

“Skinners” Land Pirates of the American Revolution Myths and Reality

Two terms come up when describing roving bands of colonial plunderers who preyed on the residents of Westchester County, New York during the American Revolution: British marauders were called cowboys and patriotic pillagers were referred to as skinners. Though countless historical publications support this or claim that skinners were composed of both British and American …