High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington`s Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed troops in Westchester County, intending to cut off Washington`s escape route. Alerted to this move, Washington retreated further, establishing a position in the village of White Plains but failed to establish firm control over local high ground. Howe`s troops drove Washington`s troops from a hill near the village; following this loss, Washington ordered the Americans to retreat further north.