Admiral Lord Richard Howe arrived on July 12th with a powerful squadron and one hundred and fifty transports filled with troops. On the thirteenth a communication was despatched to George Washington, Esqr., on behalf of the Brothers Howe, Commissioners, proposing terms of peace. Washington, in a letter to Schuyler, facetiously styled these gentlemen “Commissioners to dispense pardon to repenting sinners.” Howe’s Adjutant-General, Patterson, called upon General Washington, on the twentieth of July, respecting the exchange of prisoners, especially General Erskine, and, “purely to effect, the exchange of these prisoners,” addressed Washington by his military title.
Generals Clinton and Cornwallis, repulsed at Charleston, arrived August first, and Commodore Holtham, having arrived on the twelfth, landed twenty-six hundred British troops, eight thousand four hundred Hessians, and camp equipage for the entire army. On the fifteenth Sir Peter Parker arrived with twenty-four sail from the south.
The British army thus encamped on Staten Island numbered, all told, thirty-one thousand six hundred and twenty-five men. The effective force, for duty, was twenty-six thousand nine hundred and eight, of which number twenty thousand accompanied General Howe to the attack upon Brooklyn Heights. This was the largest army under one command during the war.
Washington was fully advised of every movement, and the Proclamation of Commissioner Howe to the people was circulated with his full approval. Sensational rumors were as common then as in modern times. As late as the nineteenth of August General Roberdeau notified Washington, in all seriousness, that “a post-rider had told him, with great confidence, that General Howe had proposed to retire with the fleet and army, and was willing to settle the present dispute on any terms asked by Washington: that this came from an officer who was willing to swear to it; but as it might have a tendency to lull the inhabitants, he made it the subject of an express.” This was based upon another false rumor, that England and France were at war. Such “recklessness of gossip-mongers” received from Washington a scorching rebuke which he declared to be the “more important, since many of those who opposed the war, on account of business relations with the British authorities, were most active in words, while lacking in courage to take up arms on either side.”
CHAPTER XI.
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
Only a summary analysis of the Battle of Long Island is required for explanation of the general operations indicated upon the map. Almost every hour had its incidents of eventful interest, and few historic battles, from its first conception to the ultimate result, more strikingly illustrate the influence of one regardful judgment which could convert unpromising features into conditions of final benefit. The value of military discipline, of presence of mind, and the subordination of every will to one ruling spirit, never had a more definite illustration.[[4]] The infinite value of small details, in preparation for and the conduct of so serious a venture as to meet this great British army, is exhibited at every phase of its progress.
[4]. See “Battles of the Revolution,” Chapter XXXI.
The American army contrasted unfavorably with its adversary in every respect. Although the British forces, and generally the American forces employed during the years of the war, are to be found stated in the Appendix, the official roll of Washington’s army, on this occasion, will add interest to the event.
On the third of August its strength was as follows: Commissioned officers and staff, twelve hundred and twenty-five; non-commissioned officers, fifteen hundred and two; present for duty, ten thousand five hundred and fourteen; sick, present and absent, three thousand six hundred and seventy-eight: making a total of seventeen thousand two hundred and twenty-five men.
Less than one-third of this force had served from the beginning of the war. The artillery battalion of Colonel Knox numbered less than six hundred men, and the guns themselves were of various patterns and calibre, to be handled by men who knew little of their use or range. On the fifth of August Governor Trumbull of Connecticut assured Washington that “he did not greatly dread what the enemy could do, trusting Heaven to support us, knowing our cause to be righteous.” Washington’s reply, dated the seventh, was characteristic and practical: “To trust in the justice of our cause, without our utmost exertion, would be tempting Providence.” Although Trumbull had already sent five regiments forward, he soon sent nine additional regiments, averaging about three hundred men each, in time to be present when the British eventually landed in Westchester County.