Saint Paul's Church

The Battle of Pell's Point was part of the New York area campaign from August through December 1776. Two experienced British officers, Henry Clinton and Charles Cornwallis, led approximately 4,000 troops of light infantry, grenadiers, and dismounted light dragoon companies drawn from several British regiments.  Opposing the Crown forces were four regiments (about 750 soldiers) from Massachusetts, under the command of Colonel John Glover. As more British and Hessian troops were brought into the fray, Glover’s position became indefensible. Around noon, Cornwallis completed his flanking movement on the American left, and the Patriots faced possible envelopment. Sensing this, Glover ordered a withdrawal across the Hutchinson River. Following the action, Hessian forces occupied Saint Paul’s Church and, like the American army days before, used it as a field hospital.