All the Colonial News That's Fit to Print
October 18, 1776
The British Strike at Pelham!
By David Rivera
Colonel
John Glover
was commanding his troops when he faced a
barrag
e
of
bullets coming from the British on the other side of Split Rock Road
at
Pell's Point. Quick witted Glover dispatched his troops
brilliantly to confuse the British. Being vastly outnumbered,
Glover used the strategy to execute a successful defense from the
attacks of the British. Glover and his troops were able to
successfully hold off the large British force and escape. This
setback foiled General William Howe's plans to pursue
General George
Washington. This battle is known to have been the battle that
saved Washington's army.General George Washington of the Americans, had the British retreat at the Battle of Harlem H
eights and this battle was a great
morale boost for the American
army. Washington later evacuated his troops to King's Bridge,
present day
Bronx, near White Plains. General
William Howe of the
British was
coming off a loss at Throg's Point, present day Throg's Neck and was
hoping to flank the retreating Washington. In the early morning
today, Colonel John Glover
spotted about 4,000 British troops arriving
at Pell's Point.
Glover took on the massive German and British
force with about 450 men. The Americans battled strongly before
retreating to their rear regiment. The British force continued to
advance, only to be ambushed
by Colonel Read whom was hiding with his
regiment behind a s
tone
wall. The British began
to fire their
artillery while the Americans kept their post behind the stone
wall. Then, the Americans rose from cover and fired again from
the stone wall. Battle continued for hours until
Colonel Glover ordered his men
to retreat. Glover and his forces
stalled Howe and Washington went to help him after the Battle of Harlem
Heights. A letter, entitled "Letter from Mile Square, Oct. 24, 1776" was written by Colonel John Glover in which he describes the sequences of the battle. This is a quote from the climax of the battle, "The enemy gave a shout and advanced; Colonel Read's, laying under cover of a stone wall undiscovered till they came within thirty yards, then rose up and gave them a whole charge."
For more information:
To read Colonel John Glover's letter, click here
To go to the Salesian High School Website, click here