Revolutionary Trenches On Crow Hill
Described
Herbert B. Howe of Mount Kisco has an
interesting account in the current Bulletin of the Westchester County Historical
Society of the activities of the Maryland troops in Westchester County during
the Revolutionary War, and of the remains of their entrenchments, which are
still to be seen on top of Crow Hill, Yorktown.
'The remains of military trenches may
easily be followed on the top of Crow Hill in Yorktown, east of the Croton River
commanding Pines Bridge. The 172 year old fortification was made by Maryland
regiments under General Reazin Beall immediately following the Battle of White
Plains. The sudden withdrawal of the British from Washington's Center along what
is now North Broadway and their retreat down the road to Dobbs Ferry where there
were British ships naturally suggested attack from the north. Such a move would
have been most serious and as a prevention the Marylanders fortified Crow Hill
with General Stirling patrolling from that vital point to the Hudson River. That
the Crow Hill trenches and General Stirling saw no action was a reflection on
General Howe's ability to carry through his victory on Chatterton Hill. But the
works on Crow Hill overlooking the Bridge bear mute witness to Washington's
wisdom even to this day.
'On Oct. 31, 1776, Tench Tilghman wrote
William Duer. The enemy, from their late movements, seem inclined to cross over
to the North River by our rear and march up the Albany road to Croton's river.
To hinder them from effecting this, if such should be their intention, General
Beall with three good regiments of Maryland troops had marches to take
possession of Croton (Pines) Bridge and Lord Stirling who is keeping pace with
the enemy's left bank, has orders to push up also to Croton's River and the
passes in the Highlands, our army will be safe from further pursuit, will have
time to recruit themselves from our amazing fatigue, and will be fresh and able
to harass the enemy if they should think fit to winter up the country. The
campaign hitherto has been a fair trial of Generalship in which I flatter myself
we have had the advantage. If we with our motley army can keep Mr. Howe and his
grand array at bay, I think we shall make no contemptible military figure.'
Almost 4,000 troops were sent by Maryland
at the request of the Continental Congress after Boston was evacuated, and
Washington 'was sure that the British, despite their embarkation for Halifax,
were intent on New York City. The Maryland Council of Safety and informed their
delegates in Congress: 'We are sending all (troops) that we have armed and
equipped and the people of New York for whom we have great affection, can have
no more than our all.'
The Marylanders had fought in the Battle
of Brooklyn and gained 'immortal honor' - an American officer recorded: 'The
enemy have gained a little ground, but have bought it almost as dear as they did
Bunker hill.'
Of their part in the Battle of White
Plains a letter reported 'General McDougall's brigade of which the Maryland
regulars is a part laid in the wood for 3 nights, two miles from this place and
to the right of the main body as a covering party; was ordered to advance along
the road about a mile, near a place called Milestone, and there take post which
was accordingly done. The brigade was joined by Hazlett's Delaware battalion and
a small regiment of militia from Connecticut. They were no sooner formed than
the enemy began a heavy cannonade from a great number of field pieces
advantageously disposed on several rising grounds, which was answered by the
only two cannon which attended our brigade, little or no execution being done on
either side, till Col. Smallwood with the Marylanders was ordered to march down
(Chatterton) Hill and attack the enemy, which they did and a smart contest
ensued, in which the enemy gave way but rallying again and attacking to the
right of the brigade...they got the advantage...Those two brave regiments stood
a very heavy fire of the enemy's artillery and musketry for about a half hour
when the whole brigade, being vastly outnumbered and cramped in respect of
ground was obliged to retreat, a reinforcement under General Putnam not being
able to get up in time to give the necessary assistance. This reinforcement was
Gen. Beall's Maryland brigade.'
Mr. Howe writes 'These Maryland men,
having served with distinction at Brooklyn and Harlem, won additional honors at
White Plains. It is therefore no surprise to find Washington sending a part of
their contingent for the guard at the all important Pines Bridge. Renown in that
task was denied them because of the British Commander's loss of nerve due to his
fear of the great distances to be covered in Westchester County. Yet great as
our debt is to them, there is no marker in White Plains or Pines Bridge to their
valor.'
Mr. Howe is chairman of the editorial
board of the society and a vice president of the society which was incorporated
in 1874.
The trenches are located on the property of Mrs. Lillian Grenecker, on the east side of Crow Hill Road, overlooking the Croton Valley.
Source: The Yorktown Herald, Vol. XXV No.
36, February 3, 1949