Even if Howe had ceded the ground at White Plains, the battle hardly felt like a triumph of American arms. “Our generals showed not equal judgment to that of the enemy,” a Maryland lieutenant complained. Yet Washington’s generalship had been creditable enough, given his determination to sidestep pitched brawls he was unlikely to win. Though he had again misread the terrain, he made amends, fought hard for a few hours, then slipped away when necessary. Howe would claim that the American casualties amounted to “not less than 250,” though they likely were closer to 175. British and Hessian
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