George Washington: On This Day in 1776
Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776
On August 27, 1776 British and American troops fought the Battle of Long Island, which marked the beginning of the British campaign to take New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies.
On August 22 the British had landed on Long Island under British general Lord Howe and during the night on August 26, Howe set in motion to attack. Battle ensued and George Washington crossed to Brooklyn with reinforcements on the 27th, but it was too late.
The defeat at Long Island killed 312 Americans, wounded 1,407 and resulted in the capture of 1,186. On the British side, 312 troops were killed or wounded. After several more battles, the British would hold New York for the duration of the war.
Above: A portrait of George Washington, which Charles Willson Peale worked on during the summer of 1776
