Battle of Long Island

Battle of Long Island – Key Retreat in the American Revolution

The Battle of Long Island during the American Revolution doesn’t make many of the history books. However, it’s a great story of strategy, courage, and Divine Providence.

William Howe assembled over 20,000 experienced soldiers, both British troops and Hessian mercenaries. They were highly trained and equipped with the best gear of the day. George Washington had about 10,000 ragtag American troops of various experience levels, ranging from seasoned soldiers to just-off-the-farm. In terms of the assembled manpower on both sides, most scholars agree that it was the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War.

The American Army was outnumbered by over two to one by a far superior, more disciplined military. The Battle of Long Island ended in a disaster with over 2,000 Americans either killed or wounded. Scholars argue that this could have been the end of the Revolutionary War, but the British made a mistake and did not finish the job. They decided to wait until the morning for the final attack.

That night, a drenching rain descended on Long Island. George Washington developed a secret plan for retreat that involved moving his nearly 9,000 men, canons, horses and carriages across a mile of river to safety on the other side. While rain muffled the sound of the retreat, fishermen and soldiers from Massachusetts shuttled boats back and forth in the hopes of moving every last man before sunrise. As dawn approached, there were still many Americans trapped on Long Island. Multiple diaries from the time recorded what happened next. Major General Benjamin Tallmadge wrote: 

"Those of us who remained in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety, and when the dawn appeared there were several regiments still on duty. At this time a very dense fog began to rise [out of the ground and off the river], and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I recollect this peculiar providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very dense was the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards distant... We tarried until the sun had risen, but the fog remained as dense as ever." 

The fog lifted and the British discovered that the entire American Army had vanished, as if by a miracle. Indeed, George Washington would also conclude that it was Divine Providence that saved the Americans at the Battle of Long Island.

Read more about the Battle of Long Island: https://www.drivethruhistory.com/batt...