ABC Wednesday L is for Long Island

The Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights) was fought in 1776 between the British and the American Continental Army. The generals in charge on the day were Major General Lord Howe and General George Washington.

The combatants were 20,000 British and Hessian troops and 10,000 Americans. The Hessian soldiers were German auxiliaries hired by the British Empire from their rulers. They fought in several skirmishes but are mainly associated with their role in the War of Independence.

The battle took place just one month after the United States declared itself a nation and was the first major battle in the American War of Independence (American Revolutionary War) It was also the biggest battle of the whole war.

Following the defeat of the British at the Siege of Boston in March, General Washington’s Continental Army relocated to New York City, then confined to the southern tip of Manhattan, to defend it. On 27^th August the Americans were attacked by British troops but were unaware that the main part of the army had gone to their rear and were thus able to effect a flanking action. The Americans, many fewer in number, began to panic but 250 Maryland troops made a stand and allowed most of the rest of the army to flee to the batteries on Brooklyn Heights. 

The British anticipated a siege but two nights later Washington evacuated his remaining army of 9,000 men to Manhattan without further loss of life, weaponry or supplies.

'Retreat at Long Island' by J C Armytage (1820-1897)

It depicts Washington directing the retreat across the East River .

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A true leader, he was the last man to board the last ferry.

Ultimately, Washington and his army were forced back through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. The loss of New York marked the saddest stage in the fight for independence. Many hundreds of men deserted and morale was extremely low. It is the sign of a great leader that Washington was able to rally his troops once more and finally achieve his end - wonderful for the Americans but a sad day for King George III.

This weekly meme is organised by the Lovely Denise Nesbitt and her Loyal team of Labourers. Click here to see more Ls. 

ABC Wednesday – F is for Freeman’s Farm

The Battle of Freeman’s Farm (also known as First Saratoga) took place during the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence) on 19^th September, 1777.

It was fought in New York State in a clearing known as Freeman’s Farm  on the west bank of the Hudson, north of Albany. (Freeman was a Loyalist who had left to live in Canada) The engagement was conducted by British, German, Canadian, native Indian and loyalist Americans against the Colonists.

Following the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War the Continental Army was established in 1775 by the British colonies that later became the United States of America. The objective was to orchestrate the military endeavours of the Thirteen Colonies as they rebelled against Great Britain’s rule. The Continental Army was supported and supplemented by local militias and other troops remaining under the control of individual states. Both sides employed muskets and rifles. The muskets were quickly charged but imprecise while rifles took longer to load but were more accurate.

General George Washington was Commander-in-Chief throughout the war.  He was not in favour of rifles and would have preferred his troops to continue with muskets only.

Freeman’s Farm was a hard won, barely won victory. The British army was in poor condition, their horses starving, and supplies and troop replacements were not quickly forthcoming. The Americans, however, had reliable supply lines and a constant reserve of fresh troops to replace dead and wounded.

Thus, Second Saratoga, the Battle of Bemis Heights, on 17^th October, 1777, was a victory for the Continental Army. The two battles marked a turning point in the war in the North. After this defeat of the British, France opted to support the American War of Independence.

(Jimmy Carter, 39^th President of the United States, wrote an historical novel about the war in the Deep South of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Called ‘The Hornet’s Nest’, it is a carefully researched book, full of historical detail interwoven with a story of one family’s experiences. Some of the characters are based on Carter’s ancestors. 

Occasionally, I found the minutiae difficult to follow, but it is a remarkable book, quite 

shocking in parts and giving a fair and balanced view of events.)

Thank you to the Fabulous Denise Nesbitt and her Fantastic and Faithful Folk who organise and host this weekly meme. Click here to see more Fs!