The New York City Campaign of 1776
The New York City Campaign of 1776 was a dramatic fight for territorial rights. Britain and America were adversaries engaged in the Revolutionary War. The key commanders were General William Howe for Britain, and General George Washington for America. The war broke out officially on August 27th 1776 (Genealogy, 2005).
General Howe arrived on the American shore of New York Harbor along with a fleet of British soldiers in June of 1776. Within the two months of June and July Howe had an army of 30,000 soldiers and 10, 000 German mercenary sailors. His fleet consisted of 30 battleships with 1200 cannons, and 300 supply ships. His brother Admiral Lord Richard Howe was also in accompaniment (Genealogy, 2005).
At the same time as General Howe was readying his army, on June 7th 1776, Richard Henry Lee a delegate of the Continental Congress formally presented a resolution to Congress to declare Americas independence from British rule. A committee was formed to make the decision, and on that committee were Thomas Jefferson, Roger Livingston, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and John Quincy Adams. (Swager, 1981).
The first draft of the declaration of independence was prepared by Benjamin Franklin. He was able to draft it in one day. Changes were made between John Adams and Franklin and the final draft was presented to Congress. July 2nd twelve of the thirteen delegates sign off on the Declaration of Independence and copies are sent to all of the colonies, with sign offs by a large majority of the 55 members (Vitale, 1998).
On July 4th 1776 America declared her independence. Eight days later Howe sent two British ships up the Hudson River to exhibit a show of power by shooting off their guns. Later Washington was sent a request for a peace meeting. Howe has his representatives extend clemency for the American soldiers to Washington and Washington politely refuses the offer.
General Howe would prove to be the commander of the most elite army that England would ever send overseas. They were a force to be reckoned with and were more powerful than any army of America (Vitale, 1996). The battle that took place in Long Island on August 27, 1776 was the first of Englands greatest victories. It was also one of Americas most devastating losses (Vitale, 1998).
During the battle at Long Island Washingtons army was faced with 15,000 of Howes troops. That was two British soldiers to each American soldier. Washingtons soldiers were too outnumbered, they scattered and efforts to regroup were sought after retreating to Brooklyn Heights. During the night under cover of fog, they silently cross over the East River into Manhattan and then to Harlem Heights (Swager, 1981).
Washington realizing the power of the British army continues to retreat to avoid direct combat with British soldiers. The thinking of Congress is that they are unable to defeat Britains army. On September 11th 1776 a peace meeting is called. On Staten Island Benjamin Franklin and John Adams speak with Admiral Lord Richard Howe. Everything was going smoothly until Britain demands that the Colonies revoke the Declaration of Independence (Swager, 1981).
On September 16th 1776 the British again make an attempt to attack Washingtons army. Washington is able to fend off the British army, yet several days later, New York is set ablaze in a fire that destroys over 300 buildings. Nathaniel Hale on September 22nd is discovered spying on the British troops and is hung straight away. He was not given a trial, and his last words were I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country. (Sparknotes, 2010).
In an effort to gain support from European countries, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Silas Deane go in search of negotiating treaties with the Governments of Europe. They go to France on September 26th 1776 to get financial backing and military support. While this is occurring, on October 9th 1776 Spanish Missionaries have founded San Francisco (Vitale, 1998).
As the war waged on, America received a devastating blow on October 11th 1776 on Lake Champlain. Americas Navy was not experienced and was hit by 87 British gun ships. The battle lasted for 7 hours and took out the vast majority of the 83 gun ships of the American fleet. Within two days the rest of the fleet was destroyed by British ships (Swager, 1981).
Two weeks later on October 28th 1776 Washingtons army was once again defeated at White Plains, New York. There were many American casualties. General Howes army was just too strong, and Washington retreated westward to once again regroup. Washington goes on to win the war by intermittent sneak attacks of great measure. His tactic of retreat, regroup proved to be monumental in winning the war. (Sparknotes, 2010).
For whatever reason, still undefined to this day, it is not known why General Howe did not follow up on his attacks on Washingtons army. It was apparent that he had the men and the guns to do so. If he had, America as we know it surely would not exist today.
General Howe arrived on the American shore of New York Harbor along with a fleet of British soldiers in June of 1776. Within the two months of June and July Howe had an army of 30,000 soldiers and 10, 000 German mercenary sailors. His fleet consisted of 30 battleships with 1200 cannons, and 300 supply ships. His brother Admiral Lord Richard Howe was also in accompaniment (Genealogy, 2005).
At the same time as General Howe was readying his army, on June 7th 1776, Richard Henry Lee a delegate of the Continental Congress formally presented a resolution to Congress to declare Americas independence from British rule. A committee was formed to make the decision, and on that committee were Thomas Jefferson, Roger Livingston, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and John Quincy Adams. (Swager, 1981).
The first draft of the declaration of independence was prepared by Benjamin Franklin. He was able to draft it in one day. Changes were made between John Adams and Franklin and the final draft was presented to Congress. July 2nd twelve of the thirteen delegates sign off on the Declaration of Independence and copies are sent to all of the colonies, with sign offs by a large majority of the 55 members (Vitale, 1998).
On July 4th 1776 America declared her independence. Eight days later Howe sent two British ships up the Hudson River to exhibit a show of power by shooting off their guns. Later Washington was sent a request for a peace meeting. Howe has his representatives extend clemency for the American soldiers to Washington and Washington politely refuses the offer.
General Howe would prove to be the commander of the most elite army that England would ever send overseas. They were a force to be reckoned with and were more powerful than any army of America (Vitale, 1996). The battle that took place in Long Island on August 27, 1776 was the first of Englands greatest victories. It was also one of Americas most devastating losses (Vitale, 1998).
During the battle at Long Island Washingtons army was faced with 15,000 of Howes troops. That was two British soldiers to each American soldier. Washingtons soldiers were too outnumbered, they scattered and efforts to regroup were sought after retreating to Brooklyn Heights. During the night under cover of fog, they silently cross over the East River into Manhattan and then to Harlem Heights (Swager, 1981).
Washington realizing the power of the British army continues to retreat to avoid direct combat with British soldiers. The thinking of Congress is that they are unable to defeat Britains army. On September 11th 1776 a peace meeting is called. On Staten Island Benjamin Franklin and John Adams speak with Admiral Lord Richard Howe. Everything was going smoothly until Britain demands that the Colonies revoke the Declaration of Independence (Swager, 1981).
On September 16th 1776 the British again make an attempt to attack Washingtons army. Washington is able to fend off the British army, yet several days later, New York is set ablaze in a fire that destroys over 300 buildings. Nathaniel Hale on September 22nd is discovered spying on the British troops and is hung straight away. He was not given a trial, and his last words were I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country. (Sparknotes, 2010).
In an effort to gain support from European countries, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Silas Deane go in search of negotiating treaties with the Governments of Europe. They go to France on September 26th 1776 to get financial backing and military support. While this is occurring, on October 9th 1776 Spanish Missionaries have founded San Francisco (Vitale, 1998).
As the war waged on, America received a devastating blow on October 11th 1776 on Lake Champlain. Americas Navy was not experienced and was hit by 87 British gun ships. The battle lasted for 7 hours and took out the vast majority of the 83 gun ships of the American fleet. Within two days the rest of the fleet was destroyed by British ships (Swager, 1981).
Two weeks later on October 28th 1776 Washingtons army was once again defeated at White Plains, New York. There were many American casualties. General Howes army was just too strong, and Washington retreated westward to once again regroup. Washington goes on to win the war by intermittent sneak attacks of great measure. His tactic of retreat, regroup proved to be monumental in winning the war. (Sparknotes, 2010).
For whatever reason, still undefined to this day, it is not known why General Howe did not follow up on his attacks on Washingtons army. It was apparent that he had the men and the guns to do so. If he had, America as we know it surely would not exist today.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment