This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in the Thirteen Colonies. Last week, Washington scrambled for last-minute supplies and manpower, as tens of thousands of British troops eagerly awaited storming New York. Skirmishes on the Hudson are ongoing, as the Royal Navy has wholly secured any sea passage into the city.
On the early morning of August 22, 1776, the British under Generals Henry Clinton and Charles Cornwallis departed Staten Island and land at Gravesend Bay on the tip of Long Island. Dozens of ships moved in to block the bay, as around 4,000 British and Hessian troops made landfall around 8:00 am. The Pennsylvanians defending the shore pulled back without firing, and by noon, nearly 15,000 men had filed onto Long Island. Washington, misinformed and thinking only around half that number had made the landing, assumed this was a feint attack with the real target being Manhattan. With that, the general sent only 1,500 to bolster the 4,500 Continental Army forces present on the island.
On August 23, in his General Orders, Washington confirms the dreaded day was nearly upon them, writing, “The enemy have now landed on Long Island, and the hour is fast approaching, on which the honor and success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding country depend. Remember officers and soldiers, that you are freemen, fighting for the blessings of liberty.”
Still fearing the army’s lack of discipline, he adds, “It is the General’s express orders that if any man attempt to skulk, lay down, or retreat without orders he be instantly shot down as an example.”He also ordered five days of bread be baked in anticipation of needed provisions.
The British had moved miles inland and had set up their camp in the town of Flatbush. By August 24, another 5,000 Hessians brought the total number of British-allied troops on Long Island to 20,000. This was what the British did best: line infantry battles, which were typically fought across Europe. The Americans showed some guerrilla tactics here, as marksmen — equipped with long-range rifles, the fathers of modern snipers — picked off what they could from the assembling lines.
Washington’s General Orders focus on final preparations, emphasizing, “Their honor and safety will much depend upon their avoiding any confusion in manning the lines.”
He also notes the obstruction of the bay and the East River, as escape routes quickly close. Washington hastily writes to Governor of Connecticut Jonathan Trumbull, requesting 1,000 Connecticut militiamen to cross the Sound and aid in the fight. Too little, too late. Washington would write, “I have thrown what force I can over, without leaving myself too much exposed here; for our whole numbers, if the intelligence we get from deserters be true, falls short of that of the enemy.”
On August 26, per orders from General William Howe, Henry Clinton’s men moved out at 9:00 pm. A column of 10,000 men stretching for two miles snaked its way up Jamaica Pass through the highlands. The British left supply crates and lit campfires to their rear to deceive the American forces.
After capturing some American soldiers without a shot fired, the British had made their way through the undefended pass. By the morning of August 27, the assault was underway, having totally bypassed American defensive lines. There were no General Orders that day, with Colonel Ephraim Martin of New Jersey noting, “This being the day of the attack on Long Island, the orders were all verbal.”
The following battle was the largest of the war, with around 30,000 total troops taking part. Within a couple of hours, 300 Americans would be killed to 64 British/Hessian. Over 1,000 men were injured and over 1,000 more would later be captured. Similar to Howe’s other ventures, he would not press his advantage and would halt the attack as the Americans broke and retreated. Testifying to Parliament years later, he would say, “The most essential duty I had to observe was not wantonly to commit his majesty’s troops, where the object was inadequate.”
Time would tell, but Washington and the army rushed toward the coast at Brooklyn Heights as the British slowly closed in. Washington would order over 1,000 troops from Manhattan, some from John Glover’s regiment of Marblehead, Massachusetts, to bolster his defense. On August 28, the weather turned, and harsh, blinding rain pelted the armies. Washington and his men put up a hasty defense throughout the day as their artillery continuously fired toward the British lines.
On the night of August 29, Washington held a Council of War with officers present to devise a plan of escape. Men from Marblehead, led by Colonel John Glover, would begin to ferry men back to Manhattan. The evacuation was slow and proceeded into the following morning. Though hope began to wane, the post-storm air brought in a blanket of fog that hid the evacuation of 9,000 Americans, none of whom were killed or captured.
Washington now struggled to build back the defense of Manhattan.
This Week in Revolutionary War History
By Sam Bishop