9ach 34 35 l 1775.eps revolutionary war 1775–1777 · the term “battle of brooklyn” was !rst...

210 The Road to IndependenceThe Planning Framework 210 Sample Lessons, Materials, and Resources

Revolutionary War, 1775–1777

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Bunker Hill 1775Lexington 1775

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Germantown 1777Brandywine 1777

Great Bridge 1775

Moore's Creek Bridge 1776

Lake Champlain 1776

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Fort Ticonderoga 1775

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July 4, 1776 Declarationof Independence is signedin Philadelphia.

1777 British occupy New York City.

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Lesson Plans LESSON 16

©Nystrom Education. Reproduced by permission from The Nystrom Atlas of Our Country’s

History. Associated with The Nystrom Atlas of Our Country’s History Activity Book and The

Nystrom Atlas of Our Country’s History Hands On Curriculum: www.NystromEducation.com

211The Road to Independence The Planning Framework 211Sample Lessons, Materials, and Resources

Battle of Long Island Document PacketDirections: All documents in this packet are connected to one another. Use each document to help you uncover the geographic and military significance of the Battle of Long Island.

Document 1 Excerpts from Key Battles of the American Revolution

Background Information

On July 2, 1776, General Howe began landing thousands of troops on Staten Island... The British planned to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies because they believed that New England was the hotbed of the Revolution. If the rebellion could be suppressed there, they believed, anger elsewhere would die out... Washington had had plenty of time to prepare his defenses. He could not be sure where the British would strike first however, so he put soldiers in several places. The largest forces were on Long Island, where they could use cannons to block the British fleet from sailing up the East River... In August 1776, General Howe finally moved his massive army from Staten

Island. On August 22–25, the British landed large numbers of troops – fifteen to twenty thousand of them – [on the shore in Gravesend, near the] southern tip of Long Island… About a thousand [Patriots] were taken prisoner, and perhaps half that number were killed and wounded in what became known as the Battle of Long Island. The rest escaped back to Brooklyn Heights… On the night of August 29–30, 1776, under cover of a fierce rainstorm, Washington pulled his remaining troops off Long Island and back to Manhattan. When the British awoke the next morning, the Americans were gone.

Lesson PlansLESSON 16


Document 2 An editorial about why the Battle of Long Island should be named the “The Battle of Brooklyn” (20th Century)

As an exhaustive historical survey proved yesterday that the Battle of Brooklyn in the Revolution should be called by that name and none other, the interesting fact came to light that St. Charles Hospital, 277 Hicks St., the site of Philip Livingston’s home, where Gen. George Washington planned the brilliant strategic retreat that saved the army. …

Documents in the possession of the Long Island Historical Society at 130 Pierrepont St., cite how the

amphibious operation, the highly successful removal of the American troops from Brooklyn to Manhattan under the cover of darkness on Aug. 29, 1776 was planned in the Livingston home by General Washington and his top aides. ...The term “battle of Brooklyn” was first used in 1776, right after the conflict, in the script of a skit based on the battle, printed by a Manhattan Tory named Rivington when the British moved to that island after it was evacuated by the Americans… Then, Chapter 16, Volume 1, of Dr. Peter Ross’ “History of Long Island,” Published in 1905 was devoted to “The Battle of Brooklyn.” Writing in the next chapter, Dr. Ross also said of the amphibious withdrawal that, “while the Battle of Brooklyn was a defeat, the retreat was a masterly movement, and a … triumph.”

Directions: Using the details from the article identify:

1. What major decision was made during this battle? Who made that decision?

2. The account in the first document names the event the “Battle of Long Island”; the second document names it the “Battle of Brooklyn?” Does it matter how we remember events and places? Why? How do we know which version is historically accurate?


The Battle of Brooklyn Was Its Name in 1776:

Courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library


Document 3 Battle of Long Island, 1874 (19th Century)

This engraving is a depiction of the Battle of Long Island. In the background, smoke can be seen above the water.

Directions: Using the details from this painting and the information from Documents 1 and 2:

1. Identify the British forces in this image and circle and label their group.

2. Identify the American forces in this image and circle and label their group.

3. Who is winning this battle? What is your evidence to support this claim?

Courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society



Document 4 A draught of New York and Perthamboy Harbour (18th Century Document)

Directions: Using the details from this map and the information from Documents 1, 2, and 3:

1. Identify and circle on the map:

– Staten Island

– Manhattan (Manhatton)

– Coney Island (Brooklyn)

– Flatbush (Brooklyn)

– Newark (New Jersey)

2. Circle and label the location of the Battle of Long Island.

3. General Washington decided to retreat with the Continental Army to live and fight another day. By corroborating the information in the documents in this set, identify the route Washington’s troops took to escape the British Redcoats. Mark the route.



Document 5 A Plan of New York

Directions: Using the details from this map and the information from Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4, answer the following:

1. Based on the evidence in this map, why would the American and British forces have wanted to control New York City during the war?

2. This map was printed and distributed by the British as a broadside after the events at the Battle of Brooklyn. What do you think they were trying to communicate to the colonists?



Evacuation day and W

ashington’s triumphal entry in N

ew York C

ity, Nov. 25, 1783
