Dispatches sets the words of the moment beside the photographs of 2026 — one account from each side, as each was written.
On October 18, 1776, General William Howe landed British and Hessian troops at Pell’s Point to get behind Washington’s army, and Colonel John Glover’s Massachusetts brigade of about 750 men met them with a delaying action from behind stone walls. The skirmish slowed the British advance and helped give Washington time to withdraw his army toward White Plains.
“The enemy gave a shout and advanced. Colonel Reed’s laying under cover of a stone wall undiscovered till they came within thirty yards, then rose up and gave them the whole charge…”
— Colonel John Glover, Massachusetts brigade, October 22, 1776
“…a considerable body appearing in front, behind stone walls and in woods, some companies of light infantry and a part of the chasseurs were detached to dislodge them, which they did effectually.”
— General Sir William Howe to Lord George Germain, November 30, 1776
Photographs: Pell’s Point, Bronx, New York, October 18, 2026. Rev250 living history photography by Thomas Musante.
Sources
If you’d like to learn more about the reporting of the day, below are the two accounts quoted above, along with a modern account of what took place.
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