After losing the Battle of Long Island on August 27, General Washington and his army of 9,000 troops escaped on the night of August 29–30 to Manhattan. General Howe followed up with a landing on Manhattan on September 15, but his advance was checked the next day at Harlem Heights. The action took place in what is now Morningside Heights. … Continue reading →

Nathan Hale – Patriot, Spy, and Martyr

Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) graduated with honors from Yale in 1773 at age 18 and became a teacher, first in East Haddam and later in New London.

In 1775, he joined a Connecticut militia and was elected first lieutenant within five months. Five of his brothers fought at … Continue reading →

The Battle of Long Island

Before the Battle:

When the British were finally forced out of Boston in March of 1776, George Washington knew they would soon return. The most strategic port in the Americas was New York City and Washington correctly guessed that the British would attack there first. Washington marched his army from Boston to New York and … Continue reading →