Battle Of Long Island Facts: Learn About The American Revolution

Famously known as the Battle of Brooklyn and even the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, the Battle of Long Island was a part of the American revolutionary war.

The two countries fought this series of wars on August 27, 1776. This battle of Long Island was fought in the western part of Long Island, now known as Brooklyn in New York.

It was the first major battle after the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776. It was also the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Battle Of Long Island Summary

The American army defeated the British troops in their initial attempt to seize Boston on March 17, 1776.

George Washington was the commander-in-charge of the American forces. He tried to relocate the Continental Army. It was solely aimed at defending New York, a port city. This Continental Army was an army of the 13 colonies combined with the United States in the revolutionary era.

It was established on June 14, 1775. New York was located on the southern side of Manhattan Island. George Washington understood that the Royal Navy would attempt to capture New York.

The British troop believed it could serve as an excellent base for its operations. Therefore, Washington established the Continental Army at this port and awaited an attack from Britain's end.

William Howe commanded the British units at the time. In July, he led the Royal Navy toward Staten Island. He even reinforced another fleet of ships over the next month in Lower New York Bay.

The total number of troops in the Royal Navy was then increased to at least 32,000. It was then that Washington relocated his troops to Manhattan. He estimated that Manhattan could become the Royal Navy's first target. They had taken control of the main entrance to the harbor at the Narrows.

During the Battle of Long Island, the British army landed on the shores of Gravesend Bay, which was located in Kings County. This area was near the Narrows, where the Royal Navy was initially deployed under Howe's command. Hence the army was now a dozen miles away from Manhattan.

The British Army waited for five days before attacking Guan Heights, a series of hills located on the western side of Long Island in New York. After this, William Howe brought his main army to the opposite end. He attacked the Americans' defense strategy of flanking maneuvers.

It caused the American revolutionary army to panic. It resulted in several casualties and the capture of their troops, which amounted to at least a 20% loss. However, Delaware and Maryland's troops prevented further considerable losses in the American army.

Under George Washington's command, the rest of the troops were relocated to Brooklyn Heights. Although the British soldiers were planning a siege, Washington planned to evacuate the entire American army to Manhattan. He did so without losing any soldier's life or supplies on the night of 29th to 30th August.

Despite this, the Continental Army lost the battle with the British troops. It was driven out of Manhattan after a few more defeats. The Continental Army then had to retreat to Pennsylvania through New Jersey.

To this day, the Battle of Long Island is commemorated as 'The Altar to Liberty: Minerva' monument. It showcases a bronze statue of Minerva on the top of the battle hill. The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument respects all who have died as prisoners of war on the British ships during this battle.

Why was the Battle of New York important?

The Battle of Long Island is often referred to as the Battle of Brooklyn and the Battle of Brooklyn Heights. It was an engagement of the American Revolutionary War waged on Tuesday, August 27, 1776.

It happened at the western border of Long Island in modern-day Brooklyn, New York. After defeating the Americans, the British took control of New York's crucial port and remained there for the duration of the conflict.

In terms of military deployment and actual combat, it was the war's largest battle. It was the first significant engagement after the United States proclaimed its independence on July 4.

The fight was critical as it marked the beginning of the British campaign of 1776. It aimed to capture control of New York and free New England from the other provinces.

The Battle of Long Island left behind the most significant lesson that the war would be brutal and drawn out and that there wouldn't be an easy victory. The British navy seized the York harbor, which was strategically significant.

They occupied New York City with soldiers up to the peace deal signing. With the British military headquarters residing there, the city was a hub for intelligence and espionage. A forage war tormented the nearby settlements, keeping the area around the city and harbor in almost perpetual warfare.

(The battle that happened after the success of General George Washington resisted the initial British attack.)

Battle Of Long Island Significance

The discovery that Washington and the troops had fled shocked the British. British forces seized the American defenses on August 30.

When word of the battle reached London, there were numerous celebrations. It marked the battle's significance for them. King George III awarded Howe the Order of the Bath while bells were rung around the city and lights were lit near the windows.

Some people believe that Washington's defeat exposed his strategic shortcomings. His inexperienced generals misread the situation when the first shots were fired. His untrained troops fled in disarray.

However, some historians consider his courageous escape one of his greatest military achievements. Other historians emphasize how British naval troops were unable to stop the withdrawal. Hence, the battle of Long Island is an important study for historians.

Howe did not launch an attack for the following half-month until he disembarked a force at Kip's Bay on September 15. The city was swiftly taken over by the British.

Howe defeated Washington in the battle of Long Island once more at White Plains. He also did it at Fort Washington, despite American forces unexpectedly giving the British a check at Harlem Heights in September. Due to these setbacks, Washington and the army fled across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.

A fire destroyed a fifth of New York City on September 21. Nathan Hale was put to death for espionage right after the fire.

Battle Of Long Island Casualties

The battle of Long Island was at the period by far the biggest conflict to take place in North America. Over 40,000 men, including members of the Royal Navy, participated in the conflict. Howe listed 59 dead, 268 wounded, and 31 missing as casualties.

There were five fatalities and 26 injuries among the Hessians. The Americans sustained much greater losses. Over 1,000 had been arrested, and about 300 had been slain.

Only about half of the detainees made it out alive. They were refused medical care and kept on prison ships in Wallabout Bay before moving to places like the Middle Dutch Church. Many of them died of smallpox due to their weak state.

According to historians, up to 256 soldiers, or roughly two-thirds of the First Maryland Regiment under Colonel William Smallwood, died in the conflict. Although their collective grave has been identified, its precise location has remained a mystery for 240 years.

Trivia

• The British fleet in the lower bay was depicted in Harper Magazine. It showed the British fleet gathering on the shores of Staten Island in the summer of 1776.
• The British landed on the Manhattan end of the east river crossing in the mid-1700s. This Manhattan side was earlier known as the Brooklyn ferry. The British dug in on a siege, but Washington safely evacuated the army to Manhattan.
• General Washington evacuated the British fleet, depicted in the 175th-anniversary issue. This depiction accurately portrayed the Fulton Ferry house. It included all the flat ferry boats in the east river in the background.
• The lines of Defence initiated against the British troops in this battle were significant. Specifically, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and Battle Pass granite boulders are in Center Drive. There is also another marker across the road where an old tree blocked the British advance. The park is well within the Line of Defense marker as the Sons of the American Revolution planned. It is close to the long meadow, the Maryland monument, and the Maryland Memorial Corinthian column.
• The prisoners of this battle were imprisoned in the Middle Dutch Church. British captured Washington's soldiers and imprisoned them in the Sugar House. The capture happened in the New York retreat. Currently, it is 28 Liberty St.
• The Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument has a freestanding Doric column. It is in Fort Greene memorializing prisoner deaths.
• The British attacked the American troops after five days of waiting. General Howe took his army to the secure rear area and attacked the flank. It took some time for the British army to find out about Washington, and the entire army escaped at one point. On August 30, the British troops changed plans and occupied the American fortifications, ensuring British victory.
• Speaking of strong commanders like General Howe and John Sullivan, Major General Israel Putnam served in the French and Indian wars. He even the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Likewise, William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling of Bernard's Township, was an officer in the revolutionary war. He is the owner of the Scottish title 'Earl of Stirling'. Stirling led units of the first Delaware regiment under Major Thomas Macdonough.
• The Americans suffered casualties and losses, with 300 killed and more than 1000 people captured. It was according to Lord Howe report.
• The British warships dominated New York City's river waterways, ensuring the American defense did not work. This capture gave the British control of the St. Lawrence River.
• British evacuation from Boston happened before the British victory in New York City.
• Washington, however, fought the battle and damaged the troops before the defeat. The defensive arrangement was flawed, however. He divided the troops between Brooklyn and Manhattan areas. It prevented reinforcement and escape across the East Rivers. Washington marched 20,000 soldiers from American units for the meeting in Manhattan.
• His station in Guan Heights failed to cover Jamaica Pass. The British regulars easily exploited this Jamaica Pass area.