"Mrs. Murray’s Strategy" by Edward Percy Moran depicts an important moment from the American Revolutionary War involving Mary Lindley Murray, a patriot and New York socialite, who played a significant role in delaying British forces after their victory at the Battle of Kip's Bay in 1776. The story goes that after British General William Howe's forces had overrun American troops in Manhattan, he and his officers stopped at the Murray estate. Mrs. Murray, using her charm and hospitality, invited the British officers to tea, stalling their advance long enough to give George Washington and his retreating troops more time to escape from lower Manhattan and regroup. This moment has become legendary for the wit and bravery of Mrs. Murray, as her action is believed to have significantly helped the American cause by delaying the British pursuit, thereby allowing American forces a critical opportunity to avoid capture.
