Note to readers: At this time I am taking a break from Covid Covid Covid and doing some more enjoyable work, researching of oddball events that make no sense on their face. As for Covid, the revolution is still being televised 24-7. I don’t need to cover it. Just a few days ago the New York Times reported that Covid 19 had invaded South America, with hundreds of thousands of cases. In other words, it is winter down there, and they are having their cold and flu season, this year an alarming emergency for some reason.
The Battle of Long Island
The Continental Congress had declared independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later, on July 4 (=11), the document would be read in public. Congress would authorize 28,501 troops, but the newly appointed Commander of all forces, George Washington, had only managed by August of that year to raise 19,000.
These troops, garrisoned in New York City, at that time comprising the southern end of Manhattan Island, had put up a good showing in Boston. However, they were rough and ragtag, untrained, and likely to give their muskets the Italian treatment* if ever they came face-to-face with seasoned British troops. There was squabbling among factions, men were using bayonets to cut their food. Meanwhile, two brothers, General William and Admiral Richard Howe had assembled 32,000 fully trained British and Hessian troops.
Continue reading “The Battle of Brooklyn: America’s Dunkirk” →
