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| British and Hessians overwhelming the Americans |
1) It was the largest battle in the war and was George Washington's first battle as general in combat
*The battle was an instant lesson for Washington and his army - don't split your army and avoid direct confrontation with the British due to their overwhelming numbers
*His retreat helped gain trust and respect from American's because they saw the retreat as Washington saving all of the soldiers
2) George Washington had his army retreat during the night*Originally he wanted to continue to fight
*Took advice from another commander and agreed to retreat
*Disguised the retreat as calling for reinforcements in order to prevent panic and keep the British from wiring a sense of urgency that would cause them to investigate and eventually attack the rest of Washington's army before the retreat was executed.
*Noreaster prevented British from outflanking the Americans at the river's edge
*The night's cover couldn't get all the soldiers across the river during the night alone and the light of day would allow the British to spot them, but luckily there was a dense fog that impaired the vision of the British and helped the Americans get away.
3) Why is this retreat so important?
*The Battle of Brooklyn happened very early in the war
*Nearly half of the soldiers were involved in this war so loss of morale and soldiers would have been so devastating to Washington's army that he would have had to hold off on pursuing the revolution
How about a shout out to the small boatsmen who helped save the Revolution! Washington gets the credit, but he might not have survived the battle without the help of all those who responded to the call for help.
ReplyDeleteThis battle could have ended the entire war for what could have been forever. Interesting how a fog has enabled us to become the great country we are now.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting how weather played a major role in this battle. That is something that is truly unheard of. Do you think the results of the battle would have turned out completely differently if there was no storm?
ReplyDeleteWithout the storm, the British would have been able to sail up behind Washington's army and surround them at land and sea. This would have led to a crushing defeat of the Patriots and the Revolutionary war would hardly have been a war at all, let alone revolutionary. Even after the storm, Washington, being on the last ship to cross, would not have been able to lead the army the way he did throughout the rest of the war if the fog had not allowed him to complete his retreat in the day.
DeleteThis battle should have been the deciding feat that gave the British the victory in the Revolutionary War. However, due to some fog and some luck, Washington pulled off the greatest escape in the pre-industrial era, giving America hope, and when the people of the United States have hope, anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Emmanuel and Noah; without the fog, the advice of his commanders and a bit of luck, it is possible that we could have been, even to this day, under British rule.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that there were two weather phenomenon that led to Washinton and his troop escaping. If it not for the north east winds, the Britsih ships would've been able to sail up behind the patriots and trap the colonists. So because of two lucky weather events, the colonists were able to escape and fight another day.
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