The battlefield in which the british and american forces fought during the battle of long island was located in brooklyn heights, long island, new york. The battle of long island occurred on the 27th august in the year of 1776 in kings county, long island, new york. By the time elias got there, it held around 800 men. This is a vintage map of brooklyn featuring historical characteristics of the battle of long island. Few are aware that the war could have ended that day had it not been for the maryland 400 who sacrificed. William howe, in full william howe, 5th viscount howe, born august 10, 1729died july 12, 1814, plymouth, devonshire, england, commander in chief of the british army in north america 177678 who, despite several military successes, failed to destroy the continental army and stem the. After the british evacuated boston on march 17, 1776, general george washington guessed correctly that their next target would be new york. British general william howe defeated general charles lee at the battle of long island. Battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn or the battle of brooklyn heights, august 2729, 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. On august 22, 1776 the british landed on long island. The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn, fought on august 27, 1776, was the first major battle in the american revolutionary war following the declaration of independence, the largest battle of the entire conflict, and the first battle in which an army of the united states ever engaged. In 2015, long island was a home for 7,838,722 people. The battle of brooklyn, also known as the battle of long island or the battle of brooklyn heights, fought on august 27, 1776, was won decisively by the british asked in american revolution.
However, its a great story of strategy, courage, and divine providen. Posts about battle of long island written by kimbervanry. William alexander, lord sterling held off the british troops during the battle of long island long enough to enable washington to evacuate the remainder of his forces. Although american independence had been declared, it still remained to be secured on the battlefield. The british defeated the americans and gained control of the strategically important port of new york, which they held for the rest of the war.
As the british fled from their defeat, general george washington anticipated they would go south and try to attack new york. Battle of long island american military history podcast. Armies and commanders in the battle of long island, the british army was led by general william howe with an army of nearly 20,000 soldiers. They entered the harbor in late june and on july 2 established headquarters on staten island. Mar 04, 2020 the battle of long island, a british victory, began just after the siege of boston. Battle of long island on 27th august 1776 in the american revolutionary war. The battle which was fought on august 27, 1776, was a major victory for the british and defeat for the americans under general george washington. Compared to rhode island, long island is larger because rhode island only has the area of 3,140 km square or 1,214 sq mi. This battle caused an interesting impact on the early parts of the war as you are about to find out. Howe reported his losses as 59 killed, 268 wounded and 31 missing. The article is meant to emphasize the impact accusations of cowardice had on william and provide an example of.
On this day in history august 27, 1776 george washington loses the battle of long island. As george washington had anticipated, british forces under general william howe departed from halifax in the late spring of 1776 and headed for new york city. It was also the first major battle that occurred after the declaration of independence. George washington and the continental army were eventually forced to retreat all the way to pennsylvania. At the time, the battle of long island was by far the largest battle ever fought in north america. Jan 14, 2020 during the american revolution, british forces under general william howe defeat patriot forces under general george washington at the battle of brooklyn also known as the battle of long island. After losing boston to the americans, british general william howe set his sights on new. Long island hospitals join global battle for coronavirus treatment. This massive fivestory stone building one of the largest structures in the 18thcentury city had been commandeered as a prison for rebels rounded up after the disastrous battle of long island and after the capitulation of fort washington that followed two months later. George washington and the continental army were eventually forced to retreat all the way to. August 27 marks the 240th anniversary of the battle of brooklynrightfully known as the battle of long island, being that brooklyn was but a small town. Aug 21, 2017 battle of long island an important clash in the american revolution.
The battle took place after general george washington and his continental army successfully drove the. After the american commander in chief suffered a humiliating defeat at the battle of long island, he turned to a crack regiment from massachusetts to save the. 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. The same folks that brought you the greatest and top 5. Though many units stood valiantly against the redcoats, such as the maryland 400, most of the continentals panicked and fled at the british advance. The battle of long island was a decisive british victory early in the american revolutionary war over american forces under the command of major general george washington, and the opening battle in a successful british campaign to gain control of new york city in 1776. Nov 06, 2017 long island is ground zero for the heroin and opiate epidemic, although theres a debate as to what drives the problem. Almost 40 percent people of the state inhabited long island.
Long island hospitals join global battle for coronavirus. British forces defeat patriots in the battle of brooklyn. Let us check other interesting facts about long island below. The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn or the battle of brooklyn heights, took place on august 27, 1776 in what is today the flatbush section of brooklyn. The largest single conflict on north america during the revolutionary war, the battle of long island was also an unmitigated disaster for washington. After the british left boston in march 1776, washington believed that their next target would be new york. Battle of long island george washingtons mount vernon. The most complete guide to battle of long island facts. George washington loses the battle of long island august. Long island battlefield american battlefield trust.
The battle against opiate addiction on long island long. Buried and hidden amid the 21stcentury streets and neighborhoods of new york city is an enormous trove of history of the nations formative years and the battles waged here during the american war of independence. The british had to evacuate boston on march 17,1776. The article is meant to emphasize the impact accusations of cowardice had on william and provide an example of how these things happened during the revolution. On august 22, british transports landed 10,000 infantrymen at gravesend bay on long island.
The americans listed about 1,400 casualties from the battle of long island. Discover kingsport battle of island flats image library. The battle of long island facts, events, information. To protect new york 3 city and the lower hudson valley from the british forces massed on staten island, george washington 4 sent part of his small army to defend brooklyn heights, on long island 5. Queens was an occupied territory for seven years after george washingtons army lost the battle of long island on aug. Battle of long island as george washington had anticipated, british forces under general william howe departed from halifax in the late spring of 1776 and headed for new york city. The british figured washington would cross right back to queens, probably at the astoria ferry dock. However, its a great story of strategy, courage, and divine providence. William howe british military commander britannica. Mar 19, 2018 the battle of long island was fought august 2730, 1776 during the american revolution 17751783. On august 22, british troops, under the command of general william howe landed on long island to begin their conquest of new york. On august 27, 1776 the british army successfully moved against the american continental army led by george washington. William alexander, lord sterling held off the british troops during the battle of long island long enough to enable washington to evacuate the remainder of his.
Correctly believing the city to be the next british target, he set about preparing for its defense. 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. The invasion begins washington defends at brooklyn heights duration. For webquest or practice, print a copy of this quiz at american revolution battle of long island webquest print page. This is an excellent location for our assorted race courses designed for all skill levels. The british marched in right after the rebels were defeated near brooklyn heights and escaped to manhattan. The battle of brooklyn governors island national monument. Retracing the historic locations of the battle of brooklyn. It is also known as the battle of brooklyn or the battle of brooklyn heights.
The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn and the battle of brooklyn heights, was a military action of the american revolutionary war. The battle of long island was the first display of british military power. By midapril, washington had marched his 19,000 soldiers to lower manhattan. Sign up for the armchair historian website today using promo code. The forces left the fort and crossing long island proceeded out what would now be the horse creek road, encamping the first night near chimney top mountain. The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn and the battle of brooklyn heights, was a military action of the american revolutionary war fought on august 27, 1776, at the western edge of long island in the presentday borough of brooklyn, new york. A northwell health labs medical technologist conducts tests in the molecular virology lab on mar. The battle of long island was a decisive british victory early in the american revolutionary.
The battle of long island, a british victory, began just after the siege of boston. The battle of long island was fought between british and american troops during the american revolution. Mcrae, i am delighted to see someone pull up and comment on my article concerning william cockes incident at long island flats. The battle was part of the new york and new jersey campaign of 17761777 of the american revolutionary war. The large british army under the command of general william howe drove the continental army from this region and down through new jersey. This action is commemorated in marylands nickname, the old line state.
General george washington knew he had badly miscalculated. It resulted in british victory over the americans, giving them control of strategically important port of new york. Order of battle of the battle of long island wikipedia. Battle of long island the disastrous defeat of the americans on 27th august 1776 leading to the loss of new york and the retreat to the delaware river american continental troops, delaware regiment, at the battle of long island on 27th august 1776 in the american revolutionary war. Washingtons retreat at the battle of long island the battle of long island, sometimes called the battle of brooklyn, was a british attack on george washington and his troops. The maryland 400 were members of the 1st maryland regiment who repeatedly charged a numerically superior british force during the battle of long island during the revolutionary war, sustaining heavy casualties, but allowing general washington to successfully evacuate the bulk of his troops to manhattan.
If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Learn more after the british evacuated boston on march 17, 1776, general george washington guessed correctly that their next target would be new york. He and his army traveled southward, in an attempt to cut them off before the attack. The battle of long island was a decisive victory for the british. As british general william howe anticipates surrender, general washington fleas across the east river under cover of darkness. Sadly, much of the land left over from the revolutions darkest hour has been swallowed up by. The americans lost the battle of long island on august 27 and by september 15 the british were in full control of new york city. On 28th august 1776, washington brought reinforcements over to long island from new york, but with the increasing threat from the royal navy, he withdrew from brooklyn on 29th august.
The battle took place in the southwest portion of long island, new york. Jun 04, 2019 battle of the long island iced teas ends this june freeport, ny its long island ny vs. For the next two days, he and his army expected a british assault, an event that would most likely had led to a decisive british victory. The battle of long island was a major battle in the american war of independence. Revolution, and receive a 50% discount for your first month. 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. Battle of long island, engraving, 1874, from painting by alonzo chappel. This embarrassing display was observed by a helpless washington from atop brooklyn heights. The battle of long island was fought august 2730, 1776 during the american revolution 17751783. This area is called brooklyn today and the battle is often referred to as the battle of brooklyn. This week on the east end, take a trip with doug geed to visit the long island game farm and long island aquarium, which are both closed amid the covid crisis but still must care for their creatures.
The battle of long island is coming soon another new series from political this. Howes adversary, george washington, challenged him with an army made up of american citizens who had no formal training or experience at soldiering. The battle began on august 27, 1776 and ended on august 29th. History american revolution the battle of long island was the largest battle of the revolutionary war. The prisoners of new york long island history journal. The battle of long island was a major battle in the american war of indpendence. By the first of october, 1776, just a little more than a month after the battle of island flats, this force was ready for the invasion of the cherokee territory.
To protect his left flank, the defending american general, george washington, stationed onethird of his troops numbering no more than 20,000 trained soldiers. If the royal navy is included, over 40,000 men took part in the battle. All the questions on this quiz are based on information that can be found on the page at american revolution battle of long island. The battle before long island against the canadians and the british. This map shows the battle of long island and other campaign actions including the battle of kips bay, the battle of harlem heights, the battle of fort washington, and the capture of fort lee. Following his successful capture of boston in march 1776, general george washington began shifting his troops south to new york city. The british remained in control of new york city for the rest of the revolutionary war. British military map from 1776 showing the marching routes and battle sites during the battle of long island. Battle of long island an important clash in the american revolution. Battle of the long island iced teas ends this month.
The battle of long island during the american revolution doesnt make many of the history books. Mar 04, 2011 the battle of long islanda demolition of the continental army slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Major general william howe led the british and hessian troops against general george washington and the american. On august 27, 1776, british forces under a far more experienced military professional, general sir william howe, had soundly drubbed the american army in the battle of long island and were now poised to finish it off.
Battle of long island simple english wikipedia, the free. Ten days later, admiral lord richard howe arrived with additional forces. Definition of battle of long island in the dictionary. The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn, was the first major battle of the revolutionary war since the continental congress formally adopted the declaration of independence on july 4, 1776. It was the first major battle to take place after the united states declared its indepen.
Four months before the battle of trenton, the continental and british armies met in the battle of brooklyn, or what is also called the battle of long island or the battle of brooklyn heights, in one of the largest battles of the revolutionary war. The british had has lost 63 killed and 337 wounded and missing while washington had lost about 970 men killed, wounded or missing, and 1,079 taken captive. The battle of long island, also known as the battle of brooklyn and the battle of brooklyn heights, was fought on august 27, 1776. The hessian casualties were 5 killed and 26 wounded. William cocke at the battle of long island flats, 1776. There had been many battles before the battle of long island. Wrongly thinking that this was a diversion for a main attack on. After the siege of boston, which lasted from april 1775 to march 1776, the british retreated to halifax, nova scotia to resupply and prepare for their next attack. Known as the battle of brooklyn or the battle of long island, it was where maryland would earn her nickname the old line state. But the large numbers of doctors eager to please, families with two. Information and translations of battle of long island in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. On this day in history, august 27, 1776, george washington loses the battle of long island, one of the most important battles of the american revolution and the largest in terms of the numbers of men involved.