On August 27, 1776, the British Army successfully moved against the American Continental Army led by George Washington. The battle was part of a British campaign to seize control of New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Washington’s defeat could have led to the surrender of his entire force, but his ingenuity instead allowed him to order the retreat of some 9,000 Continental soldiers across the East River to Manhattan and continue the fight.
By: HISTORY.com Editors
Battle of Long Island
Published: December 02, 2009Last Updated: February 02, 2026
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn, was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War after independence was declared.
Battle of Brooklyn
As British General William Howe anticipates surrender, General Washington fleas across the East River under cover of darkness.
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On a cold night in Boston in 1770, angry colonists pelted a lone British sentry with snowballs. The rest is history.
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Alexander Hamilton's leadership in the war's last major land battle delivered the future Secretary of the Treasury his long-sought glory.
“With ladies on our side, we can make every Tory tremble.”
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- Battle of Long Island
- Author
- HISTORY.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- February 05, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- February 02, 2026
- Original Published Date
- December 02, 2009
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