☞ HISTORY: Battle of Harlem Heights

In 1776, George Washington's troops made a rallying stand against the British along the hills of what is now Morningside Heights. Washington's troop consisted of around 1,800 men while the British invasion had a good 5,000 in total. The American side was in retreat because of the large numbers they were against when the British side blew a a pursuit signal which was not customary and infuriate the Americans to hold their ground. They eventually pushed the British into retreat and thus immensely empowering the American side on their will to stand against the British. Currently, Barnard College is on the exact spot were the major battle was fought. Most of the area was considered the country at the time with only small estates and barely any large buildings in the area. Click on above illustration or map to enlarge.