Early Revolutionary War Tensions and Fighting on Long Island

Since the April 19, 1775, fighting between the British and Americans erupted at Lexington and Concord, well before the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, British leaders prepared to end the Patriots’ effort to separate from the empire. Both sides sought control of New York City, its harbor and Long Island, but Americans were hardly united. Loyalists, Patriots and Neutrals were almost evenly divided over independence.

Loyalist sentiment was especially strong in Queens, where most county representatives voted against independence. Many were labeled traitors, arrested, fined, shunned and had their weapons confiscated. General George Washington supported action against Loyalists, and even Quakers were imprisoned in Connecticut and aboard prison ships. Although Long Island suffered under British taxation, many Loyalists believed it was unwise to sever profitable business ties with London. Among the colonies’ 3.2 million residents, an estimated 513,000 refused to support the Patriot cause, making the Revolution America’s first civil war. Suspicion became widespread as leaders like John Jay organized investigative committees to uncover Loyalist activity. Rumors circulated that British supporters planned to assassinate Washington and senior Continental Army officers before a major campaign could begin.

Washington entered New York fresh from forcing the British evacuation of Boston in March 1776. The British regrouped in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before assembling reinforcements for an invasion of New York City. They sought control of the harbor and Hudson River to separate New England from the Mid-Atlantic colonies. The region’s thriving commerce, shipbuilding, farming and manufacturing made it one of North America’s most valuable prizes. Patriot enthusiasm was evident when New Yorkers tore down a massive statue of King George III, melted it into more than 42,000 musket balls and later used them against British troops.

British commanders General Sir William Howe and Admiral Lord Richard Howe established operations on Staten Island while gathering reinforcements and intelligence. Washington stationed most of his army between Manhattan and Long Island but left Staten Island undefended. Although determined, the Continental Army lacked trained soldiers, weapons, equipment and a navy capable of challenging Britain. Congress debated whether risking Washington’s army to defend New York was worthwhile, while Patriot leaders desperately hoped a determined stand would persuade France and Spain to provide military assistance. Every passing week allowed the British to strengthen their position while the Continental Army struggled to recruit, train and adequately supply new soldiers for the difficult campaign ahead.

Although admired for his courage, Washington had little experience commanding a large army against Britain’s seasoned military. Throughout much of the war, he remained focused on defending New York City. Americans erected barriers and built Fort Washington to prevent British warships from sailing up the Hudson River. Confidence in those defenses collapsed on July 12 when the British warships Phoenix and Rose sailed past American batteries despite heavy cannon fire. Captain Alexander Hamilton fought bravely, but one of his cannons exploded, killing six of his own soldiers and wounding at least four others. The incident highlighted the inexperience that plagued much of the Continental Army. Even so, Hamilton’s determination foreshadowed the important leadership role he would later assume during the Revolution and in the founding of the United States.

Major General Israel Putnam assumed command on Long Island while General Nathanael Greene recovered from illness. As thousands of British soldiers continued arriving on Staten Island, Washington anxiously awaited the enemy’s next move. Hoping to avoid bloodshed and restore loyalty to the Crown, the Howe brothers received authority to pardon Washington and his men if they abandoned the rebellion. Washington refused the offer, declaring he had done “nothing wrong.” His response reflected his belief that the American cause was lawful, just and deserving of independence rather than submission to British authority. Despite impressive paper strength, Washington’s army was crippled by disease. Of the 17,225 listed soldiers, only about 10,514 were fit for combat. Dysentery, typhus, typhoid and malaria spread rapidly through unsanitary camps where contaminated water was used for drinking and bathing. One regiment officially containing 728 soldiers could field only 214 men. Medical care remained inadequate, and portions of Washington’s medical staff were increasingly viewed as unreliable. Poor sanitation, shortages of medicine and primitive field hospitals further reduced the effectiveness of an army already facing enormous logistical challenges before confronting the British in battle.

Washington’s problems worsened after dividing his forces between Manhattan and Long Island while failing to secure key roads and waterways behind American lines. Facing an enemy nearly three times larger, he possessed limited intelligence regarding British intentions. Meanwhile, British reinforcements continued arriving almost daily, strengthening their overwhelming numerical and logistical advantages while American commanders struggled to determine where the decisive attack would occur.

On Aug. 21, the Howe brothers finalized plans to destroy approximately 10,000 American soldiers positioned on Long Island. A violent storm the night before the invasion convinced many Patriots that a landing was unlikely. Instead, clear skies greeted thousands of British troops as they came ashore the following morning. Washington initially believed the massive landing was only a diversion intended to draw attention away from Manhattan. Instead, the British committed approximately 20,000 soldiers supported by 14,000 sailors and marines in one of the largest amphibious invasions of the eighteenth century. The Continental Army, weakened by disease, poor intelligence and inadequate preparation, was about to fight the largest battle of the Revolutionary War against overwhelming odds. The coming Battle of Long Island would become Washington’s first major engagement after the Declaration of Independence and test whether the Continental Army could survive against the most powerful military in the world. Although defeat appeared likely, the courage and determination shown by the Patriots during the campaign would help shape the future of the American Revolution. Next week, this series continues with the Battle of Long Island and the fighting that forever changed the course of American independence.

Next week will be the continuation of this story through the Revolutionary War fighting on Long Island