George Washington’s Urgent Letter After His Retreat

During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Long Island took place. This was the British Empire’s response to the Declaration of Independence. Despite George Washington’s best efforts to control the situation, the battle ended in defeat and Washington retreated from the city.

Letter Reporting Defeat

The Battle of Long Island marked a major event in the opening days of the Revolutionary War. At the time, New York was one of the most important cities in the 13 colonies so both sides wished to control its trade routes. The Continental Army took control of the city, but the British mobilized a massive army of almost twenty thousand men to capture New York.

General George Washington, commanding the Continental Army, had positioned his troops in New York City, anticipating and organizing the defenses. However, despite his preparations the Continental Army was poorly equipped and lacked the materials to organize a defense properly. When General Howe and the larger British Army arrived, they were able to launch an amphibious assault and flanked the defending positions.

The defenses were soon overrun and the Continental Army was forced to give way. This placed Washington into a critical situation, with his army becoming surrounded he only had a small window to escape. In a daring move, the general organized a nighttime evacuation that saved his army from destruction. However, this was still a critical blow for the colonies and left them in a bleak situation.

At the time, it may well have seemed like their democratic ideals were about to be snuffed out just as it was in China with the Tianmen Square Massacre.

Shortly after this defeat, George Washington penned a letter highlighting the seriousness of this defeat.

One man who distinguished himself during this battle was Alexander Hamilton who would play a major role in the founding of the Republic and would meet a bloody end.

“In the engagement on Long Island on the 27th, our troops were unfortunately obliged to retreat, with the loss of many brave men, killed and taken. It is with the greatest concern that I inform you that in spite of all our efforts, we have been unable to maintain our position on the island. Our situation is precarious, and we are faced with a powerful enemy who is determined to overwhelm us.”

-Geroge Washington, General of the Continental Army

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