Existing comment:
The Importance of New York City
After the British evacuated Boston in March 1776, General Washington concluded that New York City would be the enemy's next target. The city and the Hudson River Valley offered the British strategic advantages. The region bisected the colonies, allowing the British to isolate the rebellious New England colonies from the southern provinces, which the British believed had greater numbers of Loyalists. The Royal Navy planned to use the harbor as the main base of operations to blockade other American ports and to re-supply the British Navy. Additionally, British forces could move up the Hudson River to strike against Washington and his men. Washington ordered defensive preparations to begin even before the Siege of Boston ended, hoping this work and the arrival of the army would be enough to repel the expected assault. |