The Battle of Long Island, fought on 27 August 1776 near Brooklyn, was the largest battle of the American Revolution1 and a clear British victory. General William Howe outflanked Washington's army through an unguarded pass and drove it back to its defences. But over the night of 29 to 30 August, Washington secretly evacuated his whole army across the East River to Manhattan, saving the Continental cause from destruction.
In the summer of 1776, weeks after the Declaration of Independence, the largest British expedition ever sent overseas2 fell on George Washington's young army at Brooklyn. He lost the battle badly, and then saved his army with one of the great escapes of the war.
Part of The greatest battles of the American Revolution · Before: Battle of Bunker Hill · Next: The Battle of White Plains
The British descend on New York
After being driven from Boston, the British under William Howe landed a huge army and fleet at New York to crush the rebellion. Washington, guessing they would strike at the city, divided his forces to defend both Manhattan and the heights of Brooklyn on Long Island.
The flank through Jamaica Pass
Howe pinned the American front with part of his army3 while marching the bulk of it by night around the American left, through the lightly guarded Jamaica Pass1. At dawn the British appeared in the American rear, and the defence collapsed.
Defeat at Brooklyn
Caught between two forces, the Americans were routed, though a stand by Maryland troops bought time for many to escape1 to the main works. Washington's army fell back into its fortified lines on Brooklyn Heights, with the East River at its back and the British closing in.
The night evacuation
Rather than risk a siege, Washington made a bold decision. Over the night of 29 to 30 August, under cover of darkness and a fortunate fog2, his men were ferried across the East River to Manhattan in small boats, taking the whole army, guns and stores, without the British realising until it was done1.
Why Long Island mattered
Long Island was a heavy defeat that soon cost Washington New York City4, and he would be driven across New Jersey in the months that followed. But the escape preserved the army, and with it the Revolution, setting up the comeback at Trenton that winter.