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New York, August 29, 1776.
On Tuesday, August 20, a number of ships, with troops
on board, sailed, from the British fleet at Staten Island,
through the Narrows, and next day were followed by many
more. Next morning, (the 22d,) a number of troops, supposed to be about ten thousand men, landed between New Utrecht and Gravesend, on Long Island. On Friday, an
advanced party took possession of Flatbush, where our
people, having possession of the surrounding heights, kept a
continual, though irregular, fire upon them, but at too great
a distance to do much execution; however, some were killed
and wounded on both sides; the enemy keeping up an almost
constant fire upon our people from their mortars and field-pieces, loaded with grape-shot, &c. On Sunday, some of
their men-of-war and transports got under sail, and it was
supposed, were coming up; but it soon appeared they only
went to cover the landing of more of their men on Long Island, when great numbers of our men went over to
strengthen our posts, and oppose the enemy. On Monday,
it was observed that a large body of them, supposed to be
near four thousand, were marching from their main body
to their advanced posts. That night our people began to
throw up intrenchments on the highest hill near Flatbush,
which would have commanded the town; but the enemy
having the same night formed a design to gain possession of
the hill, it is said, both parlies met, and a smart engagement
between them began about four in the morning, and continued, together with severe skirmishes between many detached parties, all Tuesday and Wednesday, during which
many were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners on both
sides, and several are missing. Who kept possession of the
hill at Flatbush, where the flag is still flying, we have not
heard, nor which party has upon the whole the advantage.
Many of our wounded people have been brought over. On
Tuesday, twenty-two prisoners of the Regulars, among
whom is a Captain, a Lieutenant, and an Ensign, were
brought over; yesterday another, and the same day fifty-seven prisoners more were taken by one of our detached
parties. The enemy attempted several times to force our
lines, but were always repulsed with considerable slaughter,
notwithstanding their superiority in point of discipline, and
an extended front. On Tuesday, five or six ships stood
From the best accounts, we learn that the force of the
Ministerial Army at Staten and Long Islands is about
twenty-three thousand five hundred men; marines unknown.
The fleet consists of the following: Ships Asia and Eagle,
of sixty-four guns, the Roebuck and Phoenix, of forty-four,
one bomb, and about twenty frigates and sloops-of-war.
They have also about three hundred sail of transports, store-ships, and prizes.
Another Account
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almost within reach of our grand battery, but came to an
anchor, and yesterday morning dropped down again to the
fleet.