On This Day in History

On this day : 1776 Hessians capture Fort Washington, Manhattan Ft. Washington was located near the present day east anchorage of the G.W. bridge. General Washington stood on the west anchorage in New Jersey, and watched as the Hessians massacred many of their American POW's, under what was known as the " Right of Quarter". Seeing this, the General gave orders that from that point on, prisoners in American custody were not to be harmed. 5 weeks later, when the Hessians awoke to the Americans in the streets of Trenton, no one was executed. Thus our policy of treatment of prisoners was set for this country. 230 years ago.