Summary In 1776 over 40,000 British and Hessian soldiers squared off against 19,000 Americans on Long Island in the largest battle of the American Revolution. Not only did the British have twice as many men, they also had naval supremacy and could land these troops anywhere around New York City to flank or get behind George Washington's forces. Washington thought the British would sail up the Hudson or the East River to attack Manhattan, so he thought the British landing on Long Island was a feint. This, coupled with British sympathizers who knew the local topography better than American generals led to the almost complete destruction of the American army. Only the desperate rearguard action by the First Maryland Regiment and Lord William Howe's concern over attacking Brooklyn's defenses without proper preparation prevented the end of the American Revolution on the spot.

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