New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-26
british ship also opened upon the battery at Re.

| British ship also opened upon the battery at ke.
| Hook
| The operations occasioned great excitement In
New-York. Washington was still In doubt wnethef
the city was not included in the general plan Oh the
British attack. Fortunately head wind prevented
Tia approach of five mcn-of-war which had been
heating up the bay. Washington then fastened to
Brooklyn, arriving in time to witness the disaster
| which was awaiting the American cause.
GALLANT CONDUCT OF sTERLING's MINI.
The Tory farmers Of the neighb0rh0Od had guided
the van of the British army under Clinton. IL was
discovered that the Jamaica pass was not occupied
and at daybreak the British gained the Hights
Howe's force reached Bedford at half-past eight
and the signal given for general attack Lord
Stirling and his corps who had been all the morn
ing engaged with Gen. Grant, were nearly sur
rounded by the enemy. Leaving part OF his men To
face Grant, Stirling advanced with the remainder,
intending to pass q creek emptying into G0wanus
Cove. The appearance Of CORVALLIS and his gren-
aders checked him. Washington, who was eagerly
watching his movements, thought that his troops
must surrender in body without firing but
Stirling boldly attacked CORVALLIS with half
of Smallwood's battalion while the rest OF his
troops retrcated across the creek. Smallwoods men
behaved with gaIantry which is remembered in
history. Repeatedly broken. they often rallied,
and but for the arrival of strong achievements
they would have driven CORVALLIS from his posi-
tion Finally there were only i've companies OF
Smallwoods battalion in action and after des-
perate resistance Lord Stirling with these was COM
PEELED to surrender to DE Hester. In this deadly
struggle more than 200 gallant soldiers persisted,
almost in sight Of Brooklyn.
OCCUPATION OF sULLIvAN's REDoUBT.
Before the arrival of Washington upon the field.
Sir Henry had turned the American left at Bedford
4 ,Ia,b hta
left was turned and he was in danger of being sur
rounded His retreat to the lines was cut OIL.
Descending to the plains he was met by the British
light infantry and dragons and forced back INTO
the woods The Hessians had taken possession Of
the deserted redoubt with its field pieces and how.
itzer, and were chasing the fngitives through thu
thickets The confusion and slaughter wer
great. Hemmed in between the British
and Hessians, the Americans fought des'
perately. One who present has described tins
sanguinary fury with which these mercenaries Piled
the bayonet. Some of the Americans managed to
make their way back to the lines, but the greater
part we're either killed or made prisoners. Among
the latter was Gen. Sullivan The British forces
were now concentrated within few hundred yards
of the American lines; the grenadiers wero
within musket shot. They were met by the
fire of cannon and small arms Washing
ton expected that the works would DO
stormed, and prepared for a desperate defense.
But Howe did not venture to risk an assault, and
Withdrew his men out of fire. 1t has been Thought
that the British commander acted with commend
able prudence and that an attack might have TO-
suited in something like the catastrophe OF Dunkers
Hill In their operations the British lost 0 oincers
and SO men killed. IL officers and 245 men wounded
and officer and 20 marines made prisoners MUCH
more than half the loss was suffered by the troops
which engaged Sterling The Hessian loss was
privates killed 8 officers and % privates wounded.
The total American loss was about 1000, OF whom
three fourths were prisoners. More than half
this fell upon Sulllyans command more than
a fourth upon the Maryland regiment alone.
The conduct of Putnam, rather his military ca
pacty exhibited on this occasion has been severely
criticised and especially his disposition OF Strings
troops" the flower of the American army"
THE RETREAT FROM LONG ISLAND.
Tho evening Of this memorable day was remark
able for its severe and unreasonable temperature
The American army suffered greatly from cold. The
next day it rained heavily that the men employed
in the trenches stood up TO their waists IN water
Whole regiments had nothing to eat but raw pork
and bread 1t is said that for eight and forty hours
Washington gave no one moment to sleep. ltwas
plain to him that the British intended
10 force his lines by regular approaches;
all Long Island was in their hands, except only tho
neck on which he was intrenched; his army was
sick, naked and in want of everything; bis position
was periious in the extreme. Retreat was the only
resource. This he announced to Goupcli OF war as
the house of Philip Livingstone on Brooklyn flights.
Everything which could h0at was pressed into tho
service and at O'clock On the morning OF the 3Otn
the last of the American forces, with their pro-
visions military stores field artillery, and ordnance,
were safely landed on the New-iork shore the
best effected retreat i ever heard VI read or SAID
Gen. Greene.