On August 22, 1776, the British arrived at Long Island,
between Gravesend and New Utrecht, with “near
twenty four thousand men ready to land in a moment,”
according to one observer.
General William Howe’s large army came to Long Island hoping
to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River,
a victory that would divide the rebellious colonies in half.
Five days later, on August 27, the Redcoats marched against
the Patriot position at Brooklyn Heights, overcoming the
Americans at Gowanus Pass and then outflanking the entire
Continental Army.
The Americans suffered 1,000 casualties to the British loss of
only 400 men during the fighting. Howe chose not to follow the
advice of his subordinates, however, and did not storm the
Patriot redoubts at Brooklyn Heights, where he could have
taken the Patriots’ military leadership prisoner and ended
the rebellion.
