Historic Pelham

The New-York Convention was assembled to devise means for the most effective resistance to Great Britain in the American Revolution. Representatives from counties throughout the State met frequently to receive reports, give instructions, arrange funding and communicate with other States.

Only three days after the Battle of Pelham fought on October 18, 1776, the New-York Convention received a brief report regarding the battle. The report included estimates of the losses of both armies. This is particularly interesting because the losses of the British and German troops during the battle have been a raging controversy for a hundred and fifty years or longer. According to the report, the British and German troops lost about 100 men killed. That number is far below many reports of the total number of British and German troops killed during the battle. This author is particularly intrigued by the report because the high estimates of British and German battle casualties reported by British deserters after the battle (and by others) have never seemed consistent with reality. That said, no definitive record of the German troop losses has ever been discovered.

Immediately below is the report to the New-York Convention, followed by a citation to its source.

"INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ENEMY, COMMUNICATED TO THE NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

October 21, 1776.

On Friday last the main body of the enemy's army decamped from Frog's Point, and landed on Pell's or Rodman's Neck, east of the East-chester creek, commonly called the Manor of Pelham. Soon after their landing, three regiment's of my brother's brigade, commanded at present by Colonel Glover, attacked their advanced party, and repulsed them, killing it is supposed about one hundred; but they being sustained by their main body, our detachment was ordered off, and they accordingly retreated with the utmost good order, losing in the whole action only twenty-three killed and wounded. The enemy have since moved slowly eastward, and now lay from where they first landed extended about one mile east of New-Rochelle. Our army lays in their front, about two and a half miles distant; the left wing at White-Plains, the right at this place, where my brigade now is; but I think it probable in a day or two I shall be ordered to the left, in which case I shall be nearer to you, the only reason I can have to wish it.

A few days ago General Mercer went to Staten-Island, with about two thousand men, and took twenty-seven prisoners, Hessians and Highlanders, and killed three or four. He lost about three men, and indeed was very near surrounding and defeating the whole of the enemy. They have since ordered a brigade to reinforce that island, and I daily expect to hear some good news from Long-Island. The enemy has had a small reinforcement arrived of Light-Horse, &c., within a few days.

I don't recollect any thing else worth mentioning, nor have I time for recollection."

Source: Force, Peter, ed., American Archives: Consisting Of A Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Public Affairs, The Whole Forming a Documentary History of the Origin and Progress of the North American Colonies; of the Causes and Accomplishment of the American Revolution; and of the Constitution of Government for the United States, to the Final Ratification Thereof. In Six Series, pp. 1167-68 (Washington, D.C.: 1837-53).