Fort Cockhill
Encyclopedia
Fort Cockhill was a 18th century military fortification located on Cox's Hill, now known as the present day Inwood Hill Park
. A small, five-sided earthen structure equipped with two cannons, it overlooked the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek
at its confluence with the Hudson River
. Built by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Fort Cockhill, an outpost of Fort Tryon
, (which was itself an outpost of Fort Washington
to the south), along with a strongly fortified position on Laurel Hill (renamed Fort George after capture by the British), and a four-gun redoubt commanding the Kingsbrigde Road, both to the east, provided the rebel defense of the then sparsely populated northern Manhattan
.
On the morning of November 16, 1776, during what became known as The Battle of Fort Washington
, the fort was attacked and captured by a battalion of Hessian
(German) Grenadiers that served in the British Army.
In July of 1781, George Washington
and his generals surveyed the forts of northern Manhattan from nearby points in the Bronx, apparently in preparation to reclaim their captured forts. By that time the fort showed signs of neglect, as reflected in Washington’s observation that “the fort on Cox’s Hill was in bad repair and but little dependence placed on it. There is neither ditch nor friezing, and the northeast corner appears quite easy of access.” This attack never materialized, and the fort was held by the British until the war ended in 1783.
Inwood Hill Park
Inwood Hill Park is a city-owned and maintained public park in Inwood, Upper Manhattan, New York City, operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. It stretches along the Hudson River from Dyckman Street to the northern tip of the island. Inwood Hill Park's densely folded,...
. A small, five-sided earthen structure equipped with two cannons, it overlooked the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil Creek
Spuyten Duyvil Creek
Spuyten Duyvil Creek is a channel connecting the Hudson River to the Harlem River Ship Canal, and on to the Harlem River in New York City, separating the island of Manhattan from the Bronx and the rest of the mainland. The neighborhood named Spuyten Duyvil lies to the north of the creek.Spuyten...
at its confluence with the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
. Built by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Fort Cockhill, an outpost of Fort Tryon
Fort Tryon Park
Fort Tryon Park is a public park located in the Washington Heights section of the borough of Manhattan in New York City, USA. It is situated on a 67 acre ridge in Upper Manhattan, with a commanding view of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, the New Jersey Palisades and the Harlem River...
, (which was itself an outpost of Fort Washington
Fort Washington (New York)
Fort Washington was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. The Fort Washington Site is listed on the U.S...
to the south), along with a strongly fortified position on Laurel Hill (renamed Fort George after capture by the British), and a four-gun redoubt commanding the Kingsbrigde Road, both to the east, provided the rebel defense of the then sparsely populated northern Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
On the morning of November 16, 1776, during what became known as The Battle of Fort Washington
Battle of Fort Washington
The Battle of Fort Washington was fought in the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain on November 16, 1776. It was a decisive British victory, forcing the entire garrison of Fort Washington to surrender....
, the fort was attacked and captured by a battalion of Hessian
Hessian
The Hessians were 18-century German regiments hired through their rulers by the British Empire. Despite their name, they were not all from Hesse. They were not mercenaries, although their German rulers profited from their use. Though used in several conflicts including in Ireland, they are most...
(German) Grenadiers that served in the British Army.
In July of 1781, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and his generals surveyed the forts of northern Manhattan from nearby points in the Bronx, apparently in preparation to reclaim their captured forts. By that time the fort showed signs of neglect, as reflected in Washington’s observation that “the fort on Cox’s Hill was in bad repair and but little dependence placed on it. There is neither ditch nor friezing, and the northeast corner appears quite easy of access.” This attack never materialized, and the fort was held by the British until the war ended in 1783.