The Battle of Long Island was a clear victory for the British army. George Washington and the American army suffered a defeat and continued to suffer many further defeats before they could stand up and push back the British. The battle also gave British the control of New York which was a very important city.
What are facts about the Battle of Long Island?
This would be much more difficult than the Boston Campaign for three reasons:
- While the terrain was similar to Boston, the land area was much larger.
- The British Navy could be much more effective in New York than in Boston.
- Nathanael Greene became ill and was taken from the field before the Battle of Long Island even began. Israel Putnam took his place and was overwhelmed with the task.
What was the impact the Battle of Long Island have?
The Battle of Long Island (aka Battle of Brooklyn and the Battle of Brooklyn Heights) was the first major battle of the war to take place after the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776. It was a victory for the British and the beginning of a successful campaign that gave them control of the strategically important city of New ...
How many people died in the Battle of Long Island?
How many died in the Battle of Long Island? Losses: American, 300 dead, 650 wounded, 1,100 captured; British and German, 63 dead, 314 wounded.
How many soldiers were in the Battle of Long Island?
In the Battle of Long Island, the British army was led by General William Howe with an army of nearly 20,000 soldiers. They were helped by naval forces under the command of Admiral Richard Howe, brother of General Howe. The Americans, with 10,000 soldiers, were led by General George Washington.
Where was the Battle of Long Island fought?
The American Revolutionary Battle of Long Island was fought in Brooklyn on August 27, 1776, with remnants of the American army retreating to Brooklyn Heights overlooking the East River. In 1816 the most populous section of Brooklyn was incorporated as a village and in 1834 as a city.…
What was the purpose of the Battle of New York?
The battle initiated the British campaign of 1776 to seize control of New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. After the British evacuation from Boston in March, the British general Lord William Howe moved to occupy New York City under the protection of a British fleet that commanded the surrounding waters. To protect his left flank, the defending American general, George Washington, stationed one-third of his troops (numbering no more than 20,000 trained soldiers) on the Long Island side of the East River. where they erected fortifications. A Continental Army division under Major General Nathanial Greene occupied a line of fortifications on Long Island’s Brooklyn Heights, across the East River from New York City.
What was the name of the battle that led to the American Revolution?
Battle of Long Island , also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, (August 27–29, 1776), in the American Revolution, successful British action in Brooklyn, New York, against the American Continental Army and the first major battle of the war since the American declaration of independence on July 4.
What happened to the American army on Long Island?
During the night of 29 August, the bulk of the American army crossed the East River to Manhattan, a successful escape that helped repair low American morale.
Where did Howe attack?
keyboard_arrow_right. From his encampment on Staten Island, Howe planned to attack by land while warships blocked the river, trapping the Americans. On 22 August, his force of almost 30,000 British regulars and German mercenaries landed on the south beaches of Long Island.
How many troops were in the Battle of Long Island?
Washington received word of the landings the same day, but was informed that the number was 8,000 to 9,000 troops.
How many British troops landed on Long Island?
At 05:10 on August 22, an advance guard of 4,000 British troops left Staten Island under the command of Clinton and Cornwallis to land on Long Island. At 08:00, all 4,000 troops landed unopposed on the shore of Gravesend Bay.
How long did Stirling hold the line against Grant?
Stirling still held the line against Grant on the American right, to the west. He held on for four hours, still unaware of the British flanking maneuver, and some of his own troops thought that they were winning the day because the British had been unable to take their position. However, Grant was reinforced by 2,000 marines, and he hit Stirling's center by 11:00, and Stirling was attacked on his left by the Hessians. Stirling pulled back, but British troops were coming at him from the rear, south down the Gowanus Road. The only escape route left was across Brouwer's millpond on the Gowanus Creek which was 80 yards wide, on the other side of Brooklyn Heights.
What was the American plan for the Battle of Brooklyn?
The American plan was for Putnam to direct the defenses from Brooklyn Heights, while Sullivan and Stirling and their troops would be stationed on the Guan Heights. The Guan (hills) were up to 150 feet high and blocked the most direct route to Brooklyn Heights. Washington believed that, by stationing men on the heights, heavy casualties could be inflicted on the British before the troops fell back to the main defenses at Brooklyn Heights. There were three main passes through the heights; the Gowanus Road farthest to the west, the Flatbush Road slightly farther to the east, in the center of the American line where it was expected that the British would attack, and the Bedford Road farthest to the east. Stirling was responsible for defending the Gowanus Road with 500 men, and Sullivan was to defend the Flatbush and Bedford roads where there were 1,000 and 800 men respectively. Six-thousand troops were to remain behind at Brooklyn Heights. There was one lesser-known pass through the heights farther to the east called the Jamaica Pass, which was patrolled by just five militia officers on horses.
How many people died in the Battle of Wallabout Bay?
At the time, it was by far the largest battle ever fought in North America. If the Royal Navy is included, over 40,000 men took part in the battle. Howe reported his losses as 59 killed, 268 wounded and 31 missing. The Hessian casualties were 5 killed and 26 wounded. The Americans suffered much heavier losses. About 300 had been killed and over 1,000 captured. As few as half of the prisoners survived. Kept on prison ships in Wallabout Bay, then transferred to locations such as the Middle Dutch Church, they were starved and denied medical attention. In their weakened condition, many succumbed to smallpox. : 191
What type of boat did Washington use for the invasion of Long Island?
Washington's performance during the meeting was praised in parts of the colonies. British troops in the type of flat-bottomed boat used for the invasion of Long Island. Hessians in their blue uniforms are in the two boats that are only partly visible.
What happened on July 12th?
On July 12, the British ships Phoenix and Rose sailed up the harbor toward the mouth of the Hudson. The American batteries opened fire at the harbor defenses of Fort George, Fort Defiance, and Governors Island, but the British returned fire into the city .
How many troops did the British have at the Battle of Long Island?
The British remained in control of New York City for the rest of the Revolutionary War. Interesting Facts about the Battle of Long Island. The British had 20,000 troops and the Americans around 10,000.
What was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War?
The Battle of Long Island was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War. It was also the first major battle that occurred after the Declaration of Independence. When and where did it take place?
Why did the British leaders stop the attack on Bunker Hill?
Instead of finishing off the Americans, the British leaders halted the attack. They didn't want to needlessly sacrifice British troops as they had at the Battle of Bunker Hill. They also figured that the Americans had no way to escape.
What did the British offer Washington?
The British sent across men to negotiate with Washington. They offered him a pardon from the king if he would surrender, but he replied that " Those who have committed no fault want no pardon.". On August 22, the British began landing troops on Long Island.
How many troops did the British have?
The British had 20,000 troops and the Americans around 10,000.
When was the Battle of Brooklyn?
The battle took place early in the Revolutionary War on August 27, 1776. Battle of Long Island by Domenick D'Andrea.
When did the British attack the Americans?
The Battle. The British first attacked in the early morning hours of August 27 sending in a small force at the center of the American defense.
What was the outcome of the Battle of New York?
Outcome - The result of the battle was a British victory. The battle was part of the New York and New Jersey Campaigns 1776-77.
How many soldiers were in the Battle of Long Island?
Facts about the Battle of Long Island. Armies - American Forces was commanded by Gen. George Washington and consisted of 19,000 Soldiers. British Forces was commanded by Lt. Gen. William Howe and consisted of 22,000 Soldiers. Casualties - American casualties were estimated to be 300 killed, 650 wounded, and about 1,100 captured/missing.
How many troops were in the Putnam line?
Putnam was tasked with overseeing two defensive lines perpendicular to one another. The main line contained about 6,500 troops and were deployed around Brooklyn and faced southeast. This line ran north for 1.5 miles from the mill dam-Gowanus Creek area that emptied into Gowanus Bay to Wallabout Bay. The remaining 3,000 troops were deployed to guard four strategic passes cut by major roads leading to the top and beyond the heights.
Why was Howe unable to move his warships behind Washington's position?
Also, because of the high winds, Howe was unable to move his warships behind Washington's position. On August 29, during the evening, Washington called a council-of-war to consult on the proper measures to be taken. It was determined that moving across the river was the only way to escape.
Where did Howe take possession of the hill?
He took possession of a hill about two miles from the Patriot camp, and in front of Grant. Howe was finally in position and ready to launch his offensive against the Patriots. Howe's plan was to send Grant to the American far right flank above Gowanus Bay to divert attention to the western end of the line.
What happened to the British army on August 29, 1861?
On the night of August 29, while the British were digging in for a siege, Gen. Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss of supplies or a single life. Washington and the Continental Army were driven out of New York entirely after several more defeats and forced to retreat through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.
How many people died in the Battle of New York?
Casualties - American casualties were estimated to be 300 killed, 650 wounded, and about 1,100 captured/missing. British casualties was approximately 63 killed , 314 wounded and unknown captured/missing. Outcome - The result of the battle was a British victory. The battle was part of the New York and New Jersey Campaigns 1776-77.
Overview
Legacy
The most significant legacy of the Battle of Long Island was that it showed there would be no easy victory, and that the war would be long and bloody. The British took control of the strategically vital harbor and put New York City under military occupation until the treaty ending the war was signed. With the British military command in residence the city became the focal point for espionage and intelligence gathering. The area surrounding the city and the harbor remained in …
Prelude to battle
In the first stage of the war, the British Army was trapped in the peninsular city of Boston and were forced to abandon it on March 17, sailing to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to await reinforcements. Washington then began to transfer regiments to New York City, which he believed the British would attack next because of the port's strategic importance. He had sent his second-in-command, Charles Lee, …
Battle
At 21:00, the British moved out. No one except the commanders knew of the plan. Clinton led a crack brigade of light infantry with fixed bayonets in front, followed by Cornwallis who had eight battalions and 14 artillery pieces. Cornwallis was followed by Howe and Hugh Percy with six battalions, more artillery, and baggage. The column consisted of 10,000 men who stretched ou…
Aftermath
Washington and the army were surrounded on Brooklyn Heights with the East River to their backs. As the day went on, the British began to dig trenches, slowly coming closer to the American defenses. By doing this, the British would not have to cross over open ground to assault the American defenses as they did in Boston the year before. Despite this perilous situation, Washington orde…
See also
• List of American Revolutionary War battles
• American Revolutionary War §British New York counter-offensive. The ‘Battle of Long Island’ placed in overall sequence and strategic context.
• Dr. John Hart, Regimental Surgeon of Col Prescott's Regiment who was stationed at Governor's Island
External links
• Whittimore, Henry "The Heroes of the American Revolution and their Descendants; The Battle of Long Island" 1897
• The Wild Geese Today – Honoring Those Who Saved Washington's Army
• Website on Battle of Long Island