Battle of Paulus Hook

Major Henry Lee's raid on Paulus Hook was a masterpiece of tactical planning and execution. Paulus Hook was a British fortified post at the southern tip of present-day Jersey City, directly across the Hudson from British New York City. Its garrison was protected by elaborate earthworks, a moat, and a location considered secure.

Lee spent weeks planning, conducting personal reconnaissance and recruiting reliable soldiers. He selected 300 men from several units and planned a night march and dawn assault. The operation did not go smoothly — part of Lee's force became lost in the swamps near the post and he arrived with only 200 men. Rather than abort, he attacked anyway at 3 AM. The surprise was total. American soldiers poured through the sally port before the alarm was raised, overwhelming the outer defenses. The British scrambled into a blockhouse that could not be reduced without artillery.

Lee seized 158 prisoners, killed about 50 defenders, and executed a rapid withdrawal before British reinforcements could arrive. He had covered 22 miles in the night march, fought the battle, and then had to fight through a British blocking force on the return. Total American casualties: two killed, three wounded. Congress awarded Lee one of only eight gold medals distributed during the entire war. 'Light Horse Harry' Lee went on to command partisan operations throughout the South and his son Robert E. Lee would become the most famous general in American history.