F86.3A


 * __British Overcome New York__**

Recently, British ships invaded a New York harbor. The colonists were greatly outnumbered and have no navy, while the British were loaded with about 10,000 sailors and many warships. Washington and his troops have fled the city of Boston. To gain enemy intelligence, Washington sent Nathan Hale to spy on the British's upcoming attacks and plans. He has recently been caught and we have heard that he might be sentenced to death without a trial.

In the battle of Long Island, the loyalists seeked to acquire Long Island with a battle against the Patriots. The loyalists army sailed into New York harbor with hundreds of warships. They were heavily armed and with loads of men. The British had about 40,000 men while the Patriots had less than 20,000. The militia was heavily outmatched but they continued to fight. This fight would end up being "the worst days of the war" for the continental army. Washington and his men were expecting Howe's arrival and were able to have time to stock up on ammunition before the fight. When the fighting began at Long Island more than 1,400 American Soldiers were either captured, or killed. The rest of the army than retreated to Manhattan and the British followed. The British were gaining on them so Washington hurried North to avoid capture from the British.Throughout the Autumn season numerous battles took place and in November the militia crossed the Hudson River and into Pennsylvania because of the British chase. Sometime during the British's try to claim New York General Washington sent our a spy, Nathan Hale to track the British's movements. He was successful getting there and spying but when he tried to return to his fort or camp he was seized by British officers was searched. His information was found hidden in his shoes and General Howe ordered him to be hung in the Gallows the very next day. The next day, while walking to the Gallows he said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

George Washington was involved in the battle of Long Island and was the leader for the militia. He lead his army through many battles over his lifetime and was mostly successful. General Howe was also involved in the battle of Long Island and was the leader of the British army that invaded New York. Daniel McCurtin was involved in the battle of Long Island and was a bystander who witnessed hundreds of British ships in the year of 1776. Nathan Hale was another person in the battle of Long Island who was granted orders by Washington to spy on the British and find out information on them. He was later hung in the Gallows. The British and American soldiers were also involved in the battle of Long Island. General Greene, a leader for the Patriots came down with a bad cold and could not fight, he was than later replaced by Israel Putnam.

The battle of Long Island has been taking place during about a 6 month span from June to November in 1776. These months have brought many deaths to both the Americans and the British soldiers and have had battles in numerous places around the east coast. Some key dates of the battle are August 22nd, 1776, the day the British ships reached the western shore of Long Island, August 26th, 1776, the day the British gained intelligence of the Americans from local loyalists, August 28th,1776, when Washington brought in reinforcements to New York, and August 29th, 1776, when Washington and his troops were forced to retreat from New York. The battle of Long Island was fought in many towns and cities and had a great amount of fights and disagreements.

The battle of Long Island has mostly been taking place on Long Island, New York until the vast number of British troops took its toll on the Americans. The Americans were forced to retreat to a city up north called Manhattan. As the British quickly followed and became dangerously near, Washington ordered his troops south, across the Hudson River into New Jersey. A few battles took place during this time and the American forces became weaker and weaker. To save their lives, they then hurriedly crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The amount of land the two forces has been great, but not once has either two crossed the Appalachian Mountains.

There were many battles leading up to the British taking New York. A few months before the british overtook New York, the Patriots had taken Boston in the "Siege of Boston." The British were very suprised and angry that the very small colonial militia had just defeated the most recognized and powerful army in the world. Even the Patriots were a little suprised of what they had done. This was the main reason why the British quickly took New York. They were mad that the Patriots took Boston, so they decided that to gain their control over the colonies again, they would take New York. Like in other battles, the militia was outnumbered in Boston. But somehow they figured out how to defeat the British. But at New York, more men was'nt the only thing that the British had. They also had a very big navy.

The British taking New York was viewed differently by all of the people in the colonies. Patriots saw it as a battle against General Howe and his top class British army. They were feeling good that they recently took New York, but wereit was bittersweet since they lost New York as a result. The neutralists saw the battle as an antisapated fight between General George Washington and General Howe and their armies. They were mainly happy either way, as long as they were able to keep their land and not have to fight for it. The loyalists saw the win over the militia as an easy win. They had the advantage of size and strength. They outnumbered the militia by a lot and they took New York with ease.