Connecticut western news., 1876-09-08
THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
One of tho Engagements of the RevOIu-
 fiomnry Wnr-A Notable Retreat.

Ono of tho Engn&ements of the RevOIu.
 tionNry Wnr-A Notable Retreat. study than the condition of the United States one hundred years ago, when the British forces were preparing to attack, and the American army, under Wash ington, to defend, the city of New York. It is common charge that we are in every way inferior to our Revolutionary ancestors-more depraved in morals and less earnest in patriotism. Nothing could be more unjust to the average American of the present day, and as the in fact the pivotal event of the war-the one which determined whether the war was to go on or whether British arms ion-this epoch is the one we would past, an estimate of the present and 8 horoscope of the future.
 During the first year of the war Bos ton was the scene of the Revolutionary struggle, but early in 1776 it became ap- parent that the military operations were to be transferred to New York. Sir
 
 and, stopping in New York bay long enough to frighten the inhabitants of this city, proceeded on his journey. But the danger was not past, and first Gen. eral Charles Lee was sent to take charge of the defense of New York, and little later, Washington and the main body of the army came on from Cambridge and encamped on Manhattan island. On the oR sc1, &lN <f paign was comprehensive one, and it required more than the resources of the colonies to meet and overcome the pow erful enemy by which it was to be exe- cuted. Clinton was to capture Charles ton and operate in the South while the Howes seized the city of New York and tion with Carleton, who was expected to march victoriously from Canada.
 In pursuance of this plan the month of August was busy one on both sides, Howe preparing to carry it into execu- tion, and Washington making the best defense in his power with his meager army and slender resources. RedOubts and batteries were constructed along the East and North rivers, on Governor s island, Brooklyn heights, and at other points. General Howe reached Staten Island in June, where he was soon join ed by his brother, Admiral Howe, and it was not until the twenty second of Au- gust that their forces begun any real movement. On that day four thousand men crossed from the Quarantine ground to Fort Hamilton, and others followed soon afterward, so that the whole invad- ing force numbered about ten thousand. General Greene, who was in command of the Americans, had fallen sick just before this movement, and the command devolved upon General Sullivan. It is
 unnecessary to follow step by step the events which constituted the battle ot
 Long Island, and finally resulted in the
 famous and fortunate retreat of Genera
 Sullivan across the East river to Nov
 York. It was defeat, but not the crush
 ing disaster the enemy had designed
 and if our patriot fathers had ioeen st
 greatly our superiors in all the qualitie
 which make good soldiers and good citi
 zens, it's military importance and politi
 cal significance would scarcely have beer
 felt to the disadvantage of the cause. The movement of the enemy had be gun, but the deadliness of his first blov was parried. The American army, by tn
 skillfulness of a retreat that has becom historic, was safe in New York. A littl
 self-sacrifce was sufficient to mak
 Howe's victory barren one. Of this unfortunately, there was almost none while sectional jealousies and picker ings of long continuance made effectiv defense next to impossible. The army wa without discipline, and insubordinatio among the inferior officers and men rer dered it unattainable. The immoralit which prevailed was fearful. Treaso 3 showed itself in the camp and disloyalt to the cause was 8 common crime anon , the wealthier families. Even women ( = social distinction were spies for th
 enemy, and many @ Lady Brotherto = waited with impatience for the comin
 of the red coats. Washington was almoI f in despair, yet out of all this chaos these bickerings and iealousies and tn o wickedness and insubordination an treason-came the army of the Revolt D tion. It certainly cannot be said thu either moAally or politically we are wors : off to day. or that patriotism and love . republican institutions are not mol !, firmly fixed in the hearts of the peop !, in 1876 than they were in 1776. Thos , who doubt on this point have only !, consider the events which preceded an |, followed the battle of Long Island !, become convinced to the contrary.