This Month in
1776
In September 1776, the American Revolutionary War centered heavily on New York as key military clashes, failed diplomacy, and a massive city fire reshaped the conflict. British forces entered New York City, leading to the Battle of Harlem Heights. Haudenosaunee Chief Joseph Brant continued to fight with British forces. Despite the American victory in the battle, days later, the Great New York Fire of 1776 swept through the city, burning portions of it to the ground. In the meantime, Nathan Hale was apprehended, accused of spying, and hanged.
Statue of Nathan Hale
Staten Island Conference House
September 6: Inventor David Bushnell's "Turtle" attacked British ship "Eagle" in New York Bay in the first (failed) submarine attack.
September 7: General Washington held a council of war to discuss whether or not to evacuate New York. The council reached a compromise solution:
1. General Israel Putnam and his troops would garrison the city;
2. General Nathanael Greene and his troops would defend Kip’s Bay;
3. General William Heath was ordered to guard Harlem Heights with 9,000 men.
September 9: The Continental Congress officially resolved that the union of states be named the United States of America, moving away from the term "United Colonies.”
September 10: Governor-General Guy Carleton’s Army departed Canada and started marching down the Lake Champlain corridor into New York.
September 10: Following the Battle of Long Island, General Washington recruited twenty-one-year-old Nathan Hale as a spy.
September 11: The failed Staten Island Peace Conference took place, where American delegates (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge) met with British Admiral Lord Richard Howe. The talks stalled because Britain refused to recognize American independence.
September 12: Nathan Hale left Harlem Heights Camp disguised as a schoolteacher for his spy mission behind British lines on Long Island.
September 15: British forces launched an amphibious landing and captured Kip's Bay and New York City, forcing George Washington's army to retreat to Harlem Heights.
September 16: The Battle of Harlem Heights was fought in upper Manhattan. The Continental Army successfully engaged and pushed back British and Hessian advance units, boosting American morale.
September 17: The Fortress Presidio of San Francisco was founded by Spanish forces in Alta California.
September 19: A detachment of South Carolina militia under Major Andrew Williamson was ambushed and surrounded by Cherokee warriors at Black Hole. Williamson held his ground as long as possible before ordering an assault upon his antagonists, routing them.
September 20-21: The Great Fire of New York City erupted, destroying roughly 10% to 25% of the city's structures, including historic landmarks like Trinity Church.
September 21: Nathan Hale was arrested by British militia in NYC.
September 22: Nathan Hale was executed by the British. He is famous for his supposed last words before his execution, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
September 23: General Benedict Arnold’s flotilla of 15 vessels reached Bay St. Armand, 10 miles south of his final destination at Valcour Island, Lake Champlain.
September 24: Congress approved the Model Treaty as the basis for negotiating with European governments. It stipulated that “free ships make free goods” and affirmed the freedom of neutrals to trade in noncontraband items. France was particularly asked to grant most-favored-nation status to American exports.
September 26: Congress authorized Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Thomas Jefferson to serve as commissioners to France and secure arms, munitions, and military professionals, especially trained engineers. Arthur Lee subsequently replaced Jefferson.