Sauthier, Claude Joseph | One of the few Revolutionary War battle maps relating to New York City

Sauthier, Claude Joseph

A Topographical Map of the Northern Part of New York Island, Exhibiting the Plan of Fort Washington, now Fort Knyphausen, with the Rebels Lines to the Southward, which were Forced by the Troops under the Command of the Rt. Honble. Earl Percy, on the 16th Novr 1776, and Survey'd immediately after by Claude Joseph Sauthier. To which is added the Attack made to the Northd. By the Hessians. Survey'd by Order of Lieut. Genl. Knyphausen. London: William Faden, March 1st, 1777

Copper-engraved map (545 x 345 mm). Original color to rivers and battle features in green and red; faintly spotted, minor closed tear to lower margin. Matted.

One of the few Revolutionary War battle maps relating to New York City.

With the British victory at the Battle of White Plains in October 1776, Fort Washington was the sole holdout of the Continental Army on the island of Manhattan. Deciding against evacuation, General George Washington's error would lead to a forced surrender, nearly 3,000 men facing capture, and significant quantities of supplies and weapons seized. Sauthier notes the four phases of the attack (A–D), and notes the concentration of the British army. The original map from which the present map is based is held within the Faden Collection at the Library of Congress.

REFERENCES

Cumming, British Maps of Colonial America, pp. 72-74; Guthorn, British Maps of the American Revolution, 100/5 & 12; Nebenzahl, Atlas of the American Revolution, pp. 90-91; Nebenzahl, Bibliography of Printed Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 116; Wallis, The American War of Independence, 116