Short Summary: Battle Of Long Island Revolutionary War

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Battle of Long Island Anthony D. Torres COM/150 June 2d, 2012 Vince Colvin As the precursor to American Independence, the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War was the first and largest battle fought by a newly declared nation. Although the battle was a defeat to the American forces, it further fuelled the Americans resolve to continue fighting against the British. Archived images from this era depict General George Washington, his troops and equipment all crossing the Delaware River on boats. Another crossing, just as memorable is often overlooked. Our discussion will cover the events that led to the East River crossing in New York as either a retreat or a pretext to an attack. This segment will focus on…show more content…
At least 45 British ships arrived in the Lower New York Bay. Within the week, another group of about 130 ships arrived off Staten Island under the control of Admiral Richard General Howe, brother of General William General Howe, a man who did not agree in pursuing military confrontation with the colonists. By July 2d, British forces began to land at Staten Island. On July 6th, word reached New York and Washington that Congress had voted for independence just four days earlier. Immediately, Washington had brigades march onto the commons of the city to have the Declaration of Independence read aloud. After the reading, mobs assembled at bowling green, where the statue of George II of Britain stood and they tore it down in. “The statue was later dragged to Connecticut to be melted down for making musket balls” (McCullough, 2006). The British ships, the Phoenix and the Rose, somehow managed to get past the forces at Fort George, Red Hook and Governor’s Island and made their way up the Jersey shore to the arrive at Tarrytown. Their intention was to cut off the American forces supplies, and encourage Loyalist support. At this juncture, General Howe attempted to begin negotiations with the Americans. He still wanted to end the confrontations in an amicable manner. He sent a messenger with a letter under the flag of truce to speak with George Washington. The letter General Howe sent was wrongfully addressed; it referred to Washington…show more content…
George Washington was the last man to set foot onto the flat bottom boats during the exodus. It took Washington and his forces thirteen hours to effect the retreat and had it not been for heavy rain and thick fog; their retreat would not have been possible. Silently, the defeated American forces crossed the river to safety and now had another chance to do battle yet again. Even though all American forces escaped unharmed, an important American seaport had been

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