Battle+of+Long+Island

=Battle of Long Island (1776) =

By: Bianca Cocozziello


The Battle of Long Island, also know as the Battle of Brookyln,fought on Agust 27th 1776, was the first major battle in the american revolutionary war following the declaration of independence the largest battle of the of the entire conflict, and the first battle in which an army of the United States engaged, having declared itself a nation only the month before. In early May of1776, Washinigton began movoing his troops to[| New York]-- next to the the British target. At [|Staten Island] they set up a few camps named [|Fort Putnam], Fort Green and [|Fort Box]. In total the three fornts had 36 cannons, mostly 18 pounders. At this time defense was being built too. To make a long story short, on June 28,1776, 45 British shiped anchored in what is now the [|Lower New York Bay], and within less than a week, 130 British ships were waiting for command outside of Staten Island. Small burst of fires were going on between the Americans and the British, but nothing big happned here. Around 5 o'clock in the morning, on Auguest 22,1776, 4,00 British troops began to move from Staten Island over to Long Island. By noon, there were 15,000 British troops on the island and they began to set up camp at the [|Village Flatbush]. The British began to move out to their opponent around 9 o'clock at night on August 27, 1776. In the morning, shots were being fired and signal fires were veing lit to let [|General Washington], who was in [|Manhattan], know what's going on. Now the battle was on. Cannons were blasting, drummers were drummung and muskets were being fired left and right. The Americans were getting destroyed. Many attempts were made for the Americans to escaped but they always failed becasue they were out numbered by the [|British army.] The Americans only way of escape was to cross a marsh over to [|Brooklyn Hights]. But the Hessains were fast and were able to catch the Americans and this lead to British Victory and American defeat. || =media type="youtube" key="pK0xj2cvi50" height="315" width="420"= ||
 * ==== About the Battle of Long Island: ====


 * [[image:reinsteinrevolutionper10/sghstrhuergj.jpg width="354" height="440" caption="General George Washington (Anericans)"]] ||
 * After the battles of[| Lexington and Concord] in April, 1775, the dispute between Great Britain and the North American colonies escalated into an armed conflict. George Washington was also a major part in the [|Declaration of Independence]. In May, George Washington traveled to the [|Second Continental Congress] in Philadelphia dressed in a military uniform, showing that he was prepared for war. On June 15, Washington was appointed Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the colonial forces against Great Britain. As was his custom, he did not seek out the office of commander, but he faced no serious competition. Washington was the best choice for a couple of reasons: he had the prestige, military experience and charisma for the job and he had been advising Congress for months. Another factor was political. After General George Washington’s success on the capture of Boston in March 1776, he took his troops of 10,000 and led them off to South New York, Long Island. The only way that he could defend the city from the British Army, was to divide his troops of 10,000 into five sections. Three went to Manhattan; one went to Northern Manhattan and one down in Long Island. Surprisingly the British attacked George Washington’s troops, and took over New York rapidly. During that [|battle of Long Island], George Washington lost over 2,800 men. This battle was the worst battle that[| George Washington] had lost to after winning Lexington and Concord. ||


 * media type="youtube" key="_2wllStazzI" height="315" width="560" || [[image:reinsteinrevolutionper10/map.gif width="524" height="336" caption="Map of the Battle of Long Island 1776"]] ||


 * Sir William Howe, a British military officer, was the yonger brother of [|Richard Howe]. At the age of 17 he saw service in Flanders. He fought during the last French and Indian War, and succeeded General Gage as commander of the British army in America. Before the opening of the American Revolution, Sir William Howe had returned to England, where he served in Parliament. Three years before the Revolution, he was made major-general, and in 1775 was sent to the relief of Gage in Boston. His first Engagement after the Revolutionary War was the [|Battle of Bunker Hill]; it was after this that he was chosen to succeed Gage. He commanded at the Battle of Long Island, [|White Plains]and [|Brandywine], but couldn't realize his hope; the crushing of the Revolution. He was succeeded by [|Sir Henry Clinton]in 1778, and thogh his activities after his occupation of Philadelphia led to an investigation, he was no reaproved. After his return to England, Sir William Howe was made full General. ||