Early American Defeats

The American Revolution-Battle of Long Island/Capture of Forts Washington and Lee/British Strategy

In the Battle of Long Island Washington with 18,000-19,000 patriots faced off against 32,000 British Redcoats. Howe managed to moved a large force behind the patriots. Washington cleverly withdrew to Manhattan Island under cover of fog and darkness. He suffered more than a thousand casualties and the defeat was very hard on moral. Thousands of men deserted.


The Capture of Forts Washington and Lee was very hard on the patriot cause, because they had stocked many supplies and munitions in the seemingly impregnable forts especially Fort Washington. It also had its effects on moral.






The British Strategy was at this stage in the conflict to split the colonies. Their master plan included a march south from British Canada to Albany thereby cutting the New England colonies off from the others. At the same time another expedition would attack Charleston and gather loyalist support in the southern colonies. General Howe's force would march to capture Philadelphia (the patriot capital).


Major Battles Include:

The Battle of Brandywine Creek: In this battle General Washington tried to thwart Howe's advance on Philadelphia. Once again Howe moved a large force behind the patriot army and gave them no other option but to retreat. The British occupied Philadelphia and patriot spirit reached an all time low.

Too Be Continued                                                                                      by CWS