Order of battle of the Battle of Long Island facts for kids
The Battle of Long Island was a major battle in the early days of the American Revolutionary War in 1776. It was a big victory for the British army, led by General William Howe, against the American forces, led by General George Washington. This battle was the first step in the British plan to take control of New York City.
The Americans had built many defenses around New York's harbor. These were protected by soldiers from the Continental Army and local groups called militias from New York and nearby states. In mid-August, the British landed on Long Island without anyone stopping them. General Washington then sent more troops to the hills of central Brooklyn.
On August 27, 1776, General Howe used a clever plan. He sent some of his troops around the American army's left side, while other British soldiers attacked the American right side to distract them. This plan worked! A large part of the American army got trapped and had to surrender because their escape route was cut off. With the British getting ready to surround the remaining American troops, General Washington bravely led his army across the river to Manhattan in the early morning hours of August 29.
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What Happened at Long Island?
The battle took place in Brooklyn, which is part of Long Island. The British wanted to capture New York City because it was a very important port. General Washington knew this and tried to defend it.
The British army was much larger and better trained. They landed on Long Island and planned their attack. General Howe found a secret path around the American defenses. While some British troops attacked the front, the main British force marched all night to get behind the Americans.
When the sun came up, the British attacked from both sides. The American soldiers were surprised and quickly surrounded. Many were captured or killed. It was a very tough day for the American army.
Who Fought in the Battle?
The British and Hessian Armies
The British army was made up of different types of soldiers. Some were veterans who had fought in the Siege of Boston. Others were new soldiers from Ireland. A large group of soldiers were called Hessians. These were German soldiers hired by the British to fight.
The British also had specialized troops like light infantry (fast-moving soldiers) and grenadiers (soldiers who threw grenades). These special companies were often grouped together to form their own battalions.
The Royal Navy (British warships) was in the harbor, but they didn't play a big role in the actual fighting on land. They mostly helped by bringing supplies and landing about 2,000 Royal Marines to join the battle.
Overall, the British had about 24,464 soldiers ready to fight. They suffered about 53 killed, 228 wounded, and 37 missing or captured. The Hessians had 2 killed and 26 wounded.
The American Army
The American forces were a mix of soldiers from the Continental Army and local militia groups from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Many of these soldiers had fought in the Siege of Boston or in the expeditions against Quebec.
The American command was a bit confusing. Major General Nathanael Greene, who knew the area best, got sick just before the battle. General Washington had to replace him several times, which made it hard for the American units to know who was in charge and where they should be.
It's hard to know the exact number of American casualties because many records were lost. However, British reports say about 3,000 Americans were lost. This includes 1,097 prisoners, like Generals John Sullivan and Lord Stirling. One unit, the 1st Maryland Regiment, was almost completely wiped out, with 256 killed and over 100 captured out of about 400 men.
Why Was This Battle Important?
Even though the Americans lost the Battle of Long Island, General Washington's clever escape was a huge success. He managed to move his entire army, including all their supplies and cannons, across the East River to Manhattan without the British knowing. This was done at night, in secret, using boats.
This escape saved the American army from being completely destroyed. If Washington's army had been captured, the Revolutionary War might have ended very differently. The battle showed that the British were a very strong force, but it also showed Washington's skill as a leader and his ability to keep the American cause alive.
The British did gain control of New York City after this battle, and they held it for the rest of the war. But the American army lived to fight another day!
Images for kids
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Lord Stirling leading an attack against the British in order to enable the retreat of other troops at the Battle of Long Island, 1776. Painting by Alonzo Chappel, 1858.
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Organization of the American Continental Army
