A landing was effected on Long Island on the 22nd of August, and the Fifteenth regiment formed part of the force under Lieut.-General Clinton, which advanced after dusk on the evening of the 26th to seize on a pass in the heights, and turn the enemy's left flank at Flat-bush. This pass was taken possession of on the following morning; the army advanced, and the Americans were driven from their position with considerable loss, and forced to retreat to their fortified lines at Brooklyn. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was limited to a few men wounded.

The Americans quitted their fortified lines during the night of the 28th of August, and retired across the East River, in boats, to New York; and the reduction of Long Island was thus accomplished in a few days, with little loss.

From Long Island the regiment proceeded with the army across the East River, when General Washington was forced to abandon New York, which city was taken possession of by the British.

Proceeding up the river, the regiment took part in the operations of the army by which the Americans were forced to evacuate their lines on White Plains; but it did not sustain any loss.

The regiment took part in the attack and capture of the enemy's lines and redoubts near Fort Washington, on the 16th of November, when it had a few private soldiers killed and wounded.

After taking part in these services, the regiment proceeded into winter quarters at the city of New York.

1777

Information being received that the Americans were forming magazines at Peek's-hill, about fifty miles up the North River, Lieut.-Colonel Bird, of the Fifteenth, was detached from New York against that post, with a body of troops, of which a division of the regiment formed part. The troops sailed from New York on the 22nd of March, 1777, and as they approached Peek's-hill, the Americans set fire to the stores and retreated. The British landed, completed the destruction of the magazines, barracks, &c., and afterwards returned to New York.

Extensive depôts were also prepared by the Americans at Danbury, and other places on the borders of Connecticut, and the Fifteenth regiment formed part of a body of troops which embarked from New York, under Major-General Tyron, for the destruction of these magazines. The British arrived off Norwalk on the evening of the 25th of April, landed without opposition, and commenced their march for Danbury, from whence the American troops fled, as the English approached that place on the afternoon of the following day. As no carriages could be procured to bring off any part of the immense collection of stores at this place, the magazines were set on fire, and in the progress of the flames the town was unavoidably burnt. This service accomplished, the British commenced their march back to the coast, early on the morning of the 27th of April, when a body of Americans hung upon their rear, and at every eminence a corps of militia was found ready to oppose their march; but they attacked and routed their opponents; and in one of the skirmishes the American General Wooster was killed.

Arriving at Ridgefield, the British were opposed by a strong force under General Arnold, protected by intrenchments, which the Americans were preparing; but a few rounds from the English artillery, and a gallant charge with bayonets, routed the American force, and the King's troops halted at Ridgefield during the night.