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Battle of Long Island Facts

Battle of Long Island Facts
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 battle was part of the New York and New Jersey Campaign of 1776-1777 of the American Revolutionary War. The battle took place after General George Washington and his Continental Army successfully drove the British from Boston in March of that same year. Knowing that the British would return and that New York Harbor would probably be their target, Washington marched about 20,000 of his men to meet them in Manhattan. British General William Howe scored a decisive victory over Washington, which was the beginning of a series of losses for the Continental Army in New York, ultimately driving them from the city for the remainder of the war.
Interesting Battle of Long Island Facts:
The area just north of Flatbush was known as the Heights of Guan in the eighteenth century. It was there that the Americans planned to heavily fortify with forts, redoubts, and cannons along the narrow part of the East River.
Although it was the largest battle of the American Revolution in terms of troops deployed, the number of men killed was not very high - 300 Americans and sixty-four British were killed.
The British killed included five Hessian-German mercenaries.
The British forces landed unopposed on Long Island on August 22.
General Howe commanded around 25,000 men during the battle, which did not marines or a Loyalist brigade of about 1,500 men.
General Howe attempted to parlay General Washington twice by letters but was rebuffed for referring to him as "esquire" and not "general." Washington finally met with Howe's adjutant, who offered pardons, but Washington replied, "Those who have committed no fault want no pardon."
The British attacked the American defensive positions at around 11 pm on August 26, which caught the Americans off guard.
The initial attack was just a feint to allow Howe to flank the Continentals.
Washington arrived form
William Alexander, Lord Stirling was the commander of the First Maryland Regiment.
Washington arrived from Manhattan on the morning of August 27 to observe the battle and realize that Howe had outflanked his army.
The Americans retreated to the safety of the Brooklyn Heights defensive positions, but Washington
As the Americans retreated, the First Maryland Regiment, comprised of about 400 men, made a stand almost to the last man. About 256 Maryland soldiers were killed and later buried in a mass grave by the British. The stand allowed the Continentals to safely retreat.
After gathering the remainder of his forces at Brooklyn Heights, Washington ordered a retreat to Manhattan.
Many believe that Maryland's nickname, "The Old Line State," come from being on the Mason-Dixon Line, but it is actually from the First Maryland holding the line against overwhelming numbers.
Stirling was captured during the battle but later released in a prisoner exchange.
The loss was a psychological blow to the Patriots. It came just weeks after the Declaration of Independence and after the victory in Boston.


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