Battle of Long Island
Uploaded by splinterc3ll on Mar 23, 2007
The Battle of Long Island is the biggest battle in the Revolutionary War. General Howe went with his forces to Halifax, and General Washington started for New York, where he soon arrived with his army. However, by superior numbers and more daring activity, Congress had gained the dominance. When he arrived in the city, General Washington attempted to block the navigation of the East and North Rivers, by sinking vessels in the channels. He also raised defenses at New York, and on Long Island; and made every preparation in his power for giving the British army a vital response.
General Howe remained at Halifax; but after the recovery of his troops from the fatigue and sickness occasioned by the blockade of Boston, he sailed to the south, and on July 2 landed without opposition. On Staten Island, his army amounted to nine thousand men; and his brother Lord Howe, commander of the British fleet, who had touched at Halifax expecting to find him there, arrived soon afterwards, with a reinforcement of about twenty thousand men from Britain. Thus, General Howe had the command of nearly thirty thousand troops, a more alarming force than had ever before visited these shores. General Washington was poorly prepared to meet such a powerful army. His force consisted of about nine thousand men with many men poorly armed.
On his arrival, Lord Howe, by a flag, sent ashore to Amboy a circular letter to several of the late royal governors, and a declaration mentioning the powers with which he and his brother the general invested, and desiring their publication. General Howe wished to open a connection with General Washington, but without acknowledging his official character as commander-in-chief of the American armies; and for this purpose, he sent a letter to New York; addressed to George Washington. That letter the general refused to receive, because it was not addressed to him in his official character. A second letter was sent, addressed to George Washington. That also, the general declined to receive; but acted in the most polite manner towards Adjutant-General Paterson. Congress approved of the conduct of General Washington on the occasion; and ordered that none of their officers should receive letters of messages from the British army. In the month of July, indeed, it amounted to about seventeen thousand American men, but a much greater number had been expected. However, the quality and equipment of...