Battle of Long Island
American Revolutionary War
Northern Campaign
Northern Campaign
The Battle of Long Island took place on August 27, 1776 in what is now Prospect Park in New York during the American Revolutionary War .
background
When the British commander Sir William Howe evacuated Boston in the spring of 1776 , George Washington correctly foresaw that the British would advance into New York to take the city. Washington then had the city fortified.
The battle
Howe decided to attack the American units on Brooklyn Heights . About 10,000 British soldiers landed on August 22nd, and fighting began on the morning of August 27th. By noon, the outnumbered American troops were defeated and had to retreat , covered by their artillery units posted on Governors Island .
literature
- James W. Flanagan: Decisive Victory Let go , in: Great Battles (1993) No. 9, pp. 42-49.
Web links
Commons : Battle of Long Island - Collection of images, videos and audio files
Coordinates: 40 ° 39 ′ 54 " N , 73 ° 58 ′ 51.6" W.