Gen. William Howe ordered Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis to capture Fort Lee removing the Continental Army’s defenses along the Lower Hudson River. On November 20, 1776, Cornwallis’ force crossed the Hudson River and landed north of Fort Lee. Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene heard of the approaching British army. Unable to withstand the attack, Greene ordered the abandonment of Fort Lee.
The quick action at Fort Lee, although not truly decisive, marked a new period for the American army. The capture and retreat from Fort Lee started the brutal march through New Jersey. Through extraordinary leadership the army survived and fought decisively one month later at Trenton and Princeton. Fort Washington and Lee mark true low points for the cause, but were followed by new signs of hope for the Revolution.
Stories from Fort Lee
Along the banks of the Hudson, one can walk in the steps of Cornwallis' army, which landed at this spot to chase the Continental Army through New Jersey.
In 1779, after a stalemate in the north, Cornwallis went south as second in command to Sir Henry Clinton. Clinton captured Charleston in May 1780. Cornwallis pressed on to defeat General Horatio Gates at Camden, South Carolina, on August 16, 1780.
