F16.3A

F16.3A

**__ British Troops Devastate Long Island, New York __** September 30,1776 Long Island- In June 1776, Howe's army and navy arrived on Long Island. Washington and his troops, expecting the attack, were waiting and prepare to fight. Washington, being greatly outnumbered by the British, held his ground. The Battle of Long Island, as it was called, started in August. It is a huge turning point in the War of Independence. General and Admiral Howe arrived with a navy of 10,000 and an army of 34,000 Washington had only an army of 20,000. Before the battle, John Adams Benjamin Franklin tried to negotiate for a peaceful resolution with Admiral Howe. It was unsuccessful because they demanded that we revoke our constitution. Though Washington was defeated, we still have our independence. The Battle of Long Island, or so it's being called, has officially become a turning point in the war. The British marched into Long Island in their redcoats and with their high-tech muskets. The Americans wore whatever they could find and tried to defend their country. The British, outnumbering them 5-11, clearly had the upper hand. William Howe thought it to be a second Bunker Hill. The British landed in Gravesend Bay. After they had captured Staten Island, they used it as their base. This is also where the peace conference with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Admiral Howe was held. After The British won the battle, Washington and his troops were forced to retreat to New Jersey. New York City was set on fire after the battle was lost. The British were forced out of Boston on March 17th. On June 12th they landed in New York. By July 3rd, they had captured Staten Island. The main attack from the British was from August 22nd to the 29th. Washington retreated on the 29th.The British have had control of New York ever since. On September 16th, someone, unknown who, set the whole city on fire and burned it to the ground. Everyone had reasons to fight in the Battle of Long Island. The British wanted to show their dominance over America by taking over Long Island, New York. The British also wanted New York because it would split up the colonies into two regions. The Americans wanted to protect their land and defend their independence. They also didn't want the British to take what they thought was theirs. Of course, being opponents in this battle, the Patriots and Loyalists had different viewpoints. The Patroits thought that the British were invading their land and had no right to be there. They were trying to declare independence from the Britian and thought that the British were controlling them to much and wanted to break free. The British on the other hand, wanted to control the Patriots and rule America. They thought that because they sent them to America, they had control over them. They were trying to break America down so they could rule. In the end, the British won and took Long Island, New York. Reported by: Olivia Pollack and Laura Gieseler