The Battle of Long Island
Lack of leadership and discipline helped cause the American defeat at the Battle of Long Island. Afterwards, morale collapsed.
In August, 1776, the British had landed on Long Island. The Continental army and the British prepared for battle. "Batteries
were constructed at various points on Manhattan Island, and a considerable body
of troops were sent over to take post and cast up fortifications on Long Island[.]" Three roads cut though the hills. The Continental army was stationed alongside two of these, but General Sullivan sent only five men to guard the most northern of the three, the Jamaica pass.
On August 26th the British attacked. "Information [was] revealed to the British that the most northern of the three roads across the high ground was not guarded. [General William] Howe took his troops over the road and was enabled to attack the left American division commanded by [General] Sullivan in the flank and rear while German troops attacked in front." "The British attack was severe and persistent. The troops composing the American extreme left fled in confusion."
(The first and last citations are from http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/battlelon_ih.html.The second citation is from http://www.britishbattles.com/long-island.htm.)
On August 26th the British attacked. "Information [was] revealed to the British that the most northern of the three roads across the high ground was not guarded. [General William] Howe took his troops over the road and was enabled to attack the left American division commanded by [General] Sullivan in the flank and rear while German troops attacked in front." "The British attack was severe and persistent. The troops composing the American extreme left fled in confusion."
(The first and last citations are from http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/battlelon_ih.html.The second citation is from http://www.britishbattles.com/long-island.htm.)
"[O]ur troops were routed in every direction. It is impossible for me to describe the confusion and horror of the scene that ensued: . . . our men running in almost every direction, and run which way they would, they were almost sure to meet the British or Hessians. And the enemy huzzahing when they took prisoners made it truly a day of distress to the Americans."
(Michael Graham, account, cited in Dann 49)
(Michael Graham, account, cited in Dann 49)
"The victors encamped before the American lines on the night succeeding the battle, and prepared to besiege the works of their foe. Washington was anxiously watching every movement, for there was no one on whose judgment and vigilance he might implicitly rely. For forty-eight hours he did not sleep. Fortunately . . . Howe was very indolent and sluggish in thought and movement. . . . Had [Henry] Clinton been in command at that time, he would, doubtless, have captured the whole American army and its munitions of war, on the morning of the 28th. Howe dallied in the lap of enjoyment, and allowed them to escape."
(http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/battlelon_ih.html.)
(http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/battlelon_ih.html.)
Professor Daniel Crosswell, Colonel Richard R. Hallock Distinguished University Chair in Military History, Columbus State University,
talks about the Continentals' inadequacy.
talks about the Continentals' inadequacy.
The Americans retreated from New York to the Pennsylvanian shore of the Delaware river. Washington blamed the loss on his troops: "[T]heir want of discipline and refusal, of almost every kind of restraint and Government have produced a like conduct but too common to the whole, and an entire disregard of that order and Subordination necessary to the well doing of an Army. . . . I am obliged to confess my want of confidence, in the generality of the Troops." Morale and supplies were low. Companies of troops deserted.
("George Washington to Continental Congress, September 2, 1776," Letter, http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/north/longisle.html.)
("George Washington to Continental Congress, September 2, 1776," Letter, http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/north/longisle.html.)
Download free QuickTime Player here