This Month in
1776
In August 1776, the American Revolution shifted to heavy combat with the Battle of Long Island—the largest battle of the war. Losing over 1000 troops, General George Washington's army suffered a major defeat against British forces, but executed a brilliant nighttime evacuation to Manhattan across the East River to save the Patriot forces.
General Nathaneal Greene
General William Howe
August 2: Delegates formally signed the engrossed copy of the United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
August 4: "All Persons are strictly forbid medling with the Flat Bottom'd Boats without leave from General Putnam or some special Business & those Persons who have any of them are to be careful to return them safely. The Guards at the Wharves to attend this Order." Henshaw Orderly Books
August 6: Upriver, Colonel Thomas Thomas sited British warships on the Hudson River and proposed placing cannon on nearby high ground. At Harlem Nathaniel Woodhull offered General Washington the King's College telescope to better watch the enemy.
August 8: Washington measured the dangers in blunt numbers. Writing privately to Robert R, Livingston, he admitted that his army was dangerously thin. Only 10,514 men were fit for duty out of 17,225, while the enemy approached 30,000 when the remaining Hessians arrived.
August 10: "Great Complaints are made of the Soldiers taking away the flat bottom'd Boats which may now be wanted for the most Important Purposes. The General absolutely forbids any Person Medling with them at the place where they are Station'd but by Order of General Putnam in Writing or one of his Aid de Camps." Henshaw Orderly Books
August 10: News reached London that the Americans had drafted the Declaration of Independence.
August 13: Washington sent away the official papers in his possession packed in a nailed box for delivery to Congress. Since the 12th, thirty-six more enemy ships had arrived.
August 13: "General (Nathanael) Green to send for ten Flatbottom'd Boats which are to be kept under Guard at Long Island no Body to Meddle with them but by a special Order." Henshaw Orderly Books
August 14: Having returned to Staten Island, New York in July, Joseph Brant participated with Howe's forces as they prepared to retake New York.
August 14: "A Captain & Twenty Men to Parade immediately to fetch over the Flat Bottom'd Boats mention'd in Yesterdays Orders. A Serjeant & eight Men to be Establish'd at Myfords Ferry as a Guard over the Boats." Henshaw Orderly Books
August 22: British troops under General William Howe landed at Gravesend Bay on Long Island, beginning the massive Battle of Long Island (or Battle of Brooklyn).
August 26-27: Although the details of his service that summer and fall were not officially recorded, Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) was said to have distinguished himself for bravery. He was thought to be with Clinton, Cornwallis, and Percy in the flanking movement at Jamaica Pass in the Battle of Long Island in August 1776.
August 26-27: British and Hessian forces heavily outflanked and defeated the Continental Army, inflicting severe losses. The brave Maryland 400 regiment held off the British long enough for many Americans to escape.
August 29–30: A thick morning fog covered the East River, allowing Washington to successfully evacuate 9,000 Continental troops from Brooklyn to Manhattan without loss of life. Among the hodge-podge of boats used to ferry the troops were the flat bottomed boats General Washington wanted so heavily guarded earlier in the month.