Order of battle of the Battle of Long Island

Units and commanders present at the Battle of Long Island

The Battle of Long Island was a significant British victory in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War over American forces under the command of General George Washington, and the opening battle in a successful British campaign to gain control of New York City in 1776. The Americans had lined New York's harbor with various levels of entrenchment and fortification, which were defended by an array of Continental Army forces and militia companies from New York and nearby states. After the British made an unopposed landing on Long Island in mid August, Washington reinforced forward positions in the hills of central Brooklyn. The British forces were led by Lieutenant General William Howe, and included veterans of the Siege of Boston, new regiments from Ireland, and hired German troops from Hesse Kassel. On August 27, 1776, Howe made a successful flanking maneuver around the American left while occupying the American right with diversionary battle. As a result, a significant portion of the American army became entrapped and surrendered after its retreat to the entrenched position was cut off. With a siege of the position looming, General Washington successfully withdrew his remaining army to Manhattan in the early hours of August 29.

Unit: this column identifies the unit being described or summarized. Divisions, the largest unit of aggregation (called "Lines" in the British order of battle) are identified by bold text centered in a darker background spanning the table. Brigades, the intermediate unit size, are identified only by bold text. The brigades are composed of smaller units, usually regiments or battalions, but sometimes including formations as small as companies. Unless otherwise noted, a smaller unit falls within the command hierarchy of a preceding larger unit. Commander: the field commander of the unit on the day of the battle. Unit size: the reported size of the unit. This number does not normally include the officers of the unit. Casualties: a listing of the casualties the unit incurred, to the level documented. In the Other column, number of captured are followed by the letter C, and number of missing by the letter M.
Notes: other notes about the unit, possibly including further details about its place of origin and its movements in the battle theater.

The British Army at the start of the campaign was drawn from three sources. The first was troops that had been in the Siege of Boston, which ended when the British evacuated their troops from the city to Halifax, Nova Scotia in March 1776. The second was new levies raised in the British Isles, including a significant number of Irish troops. The third was troops provided by several small German principalities of the Holy Roman Empire. After the war broke out in 1775, the British government realized that it would need more troops than it could raise on its own to fight the war, so it sought to hire troops from willing third parties in Europe. Only a few German rulers were willing to provide troops. The single largest contingent, with more than 12,000 arriving in North America in 1776, came from the Landgraviate of Hessen Kassel. All of the German troops with the British at the start of the New York campaign were from Hesse Kassel, and were under the command of Lt. Gen. Leopold Philip von Heister. A regiment from Waldeck that was also destined for the New York theater did not arrive until after Manhattan was occupied. Some of the troops sent from Europe had first been directed at operations in the southern colonies, under the direction of Lt. Gen. Henry Clinton. The expedition attempted to occupy Charleston, South Carolina, but was repulsed in the June Battle of Sullivan's Island; it then sailed for New York to join the army as it gathered on Staten Island in July and August. Clinton served as General Howe's second in command. The Royal Navy, despite dominating the harbor, played only a limited role in the battle. HMS Roebuck penetrated as far as Red Hook on August 26, but her guns never came within range of American positions. The navy did provide some logistical support for the battle. It resupplied General James Grant's troops with gunpowder and ammunition late in the battle, and also landed 2,000 Royal Marines to share in the victory. The primary source for this data is a return of troops prepared by General Howe on August 22, 1776, five days before the battle, and presented by historian David Hackett Fischer. Howe's report did not include a breakdown of individual unit sizes. Although a more detailed return for August 27 appears to have once existed, none of the listed sources reproduces it. According to a summary of that return, the strength of the British land forces under Howe's command was 24,464 fit for duty. This number does not include a brigade of Loyalists raised by Oliver De Lancey, Sr., The casualty figures for British units are from a casualty only return prepared by General Howe, reprinted by Field. It includes a detailed breakdown by unit of British casualties, and a summary of Hessian casualties.

UnitCommanderCasualtiesNotesKilledWoundedOtherTotalLight Infantry BrigadeBrigadier General Alexander Leslie11611M73This brigade led Clinton's column that flanked the American left. These troops were the first to occupy the unguarded Jamaica Pass.1st Battalion Light InfantryMajor Thomas Musgrave4241M292nd Battalion Light InfantryMajor John Maitland4310353rd Battalion Light InfantryMajor Henry Johnson3609Royal ArtilleryBrigadier General Samuel Cleaveland2507Dragoons—0000The dragoons were at the head of Clinton's column in the attack.22nd Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel John Campbell000043rd Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel George Clerke000063rd Regiment of FootMajor Francis Sill00006th BrigadeBrigadier General James Agnew1847065This brigade was placed on the British left, near The Narrows. Agnew's brigade served under Major General Grant in the battle.17th Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood32102440th Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel James Grant2507Grant was killed in the early diversionary attack.46th Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel Enoch Markham040455th Regiment of FootMajor Cornelius Cuyler13047th BrigadeBrigadier General William Erskine0000This brigade marched behind Pigot's in Clinton's column. Grenadier BrigadeBrigadier General John Vaughan145523M921st Battalion GrenadiersLieutenant Colonel William Medows14052nd Battalion GrenadiersLieutenant Colonel Henry Monckton123822M72This unit was among those surrounding Stirling's forces from behind.3rd Battalion GrenadiersMajor James Marsh01014th Battalion GrenadiersMajor Charles Stuart1121M1433rd Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel James Webster040442nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of FootLieutenant Colonel Thomas Stirling010010Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesCommander not identified in sources1012C13These marines, numbering 2,000, were landed between 10:00 and 11:00 am to support General James Grant. British casualties5322837318Unless otherwise cited, the information in this table is provided by Fischer, pp. 388–390, or Field, pp. 416–419.

UnitCommanderNotesMirbach's BrigadeMajor General Werner von MirbachThis brigade participated in the frontal attack through the Flatbush Pass timed to coincide with the attack by the British flanking force of Clinton and Howe. Knyphausen RegimentColonel H. C. von BorckRall RegimentColonel Johann RallLossberg RegimentColonel H. A. von HeringenStirn's BrigadeMajor General J. D. von StirnThis brigade participated in the frontal attack through the Flatbush Pass timed to coincide with the attack by the British flanking force of Clinton and Howe. Bloch Grenadier BattalionLieutenant Colonel Justus von BlochMinnigerode Grenadier BattalionLieutenant Colonel Friedrich von MinnigerodeLinsing Grenadier BattalionLieutenant Colonel Otto von LinsingFeldjäger CorpsColonel Carl von DonopThis unit was under Donop, but not organized within his brigade. Lossberg's BrigadeColonel A. H. von LossbergThis brigade remained on Staten Island to guard the British and German camps there, and had no part in the action. Ditfurth RegimentColonel Carl von BoseTrumbach RegimentColonel C. E. von BischauenHessian casualties: 2 killed, 26 wounded (all participating units)Unless otherwise cited, the information in this table is provided by Fischer, pp. 388–390, or Field, pp. 416–419.

The troops arrayed to oppose the British were primarily from regiments of the Continental Army, although there were a large number of militia units from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in the field as well. A significant number of the Continentals had participated in the Siege of Boston, after which they had moved to join troops already in New York preparing its defenses. Some troops had participated in the expeditions against Quebec begun in fall 1775. That attempt ended in June 1776 after a disastrous retreat to Fort Ticonderoga prompted by the arrival of a large British force at Quebec City, and some of those troops were then rushed south to assist in New York. The American defense of Long Island became complicated when Major General Nathanael Greene fell ill on August 15. He had directed the defense work on Long Island, and was thus the general most familiar with the terrain. Washington replaced him on August 20 with Major General John Sullivan, lately returned from Ticonderoga. David Hackett Fischer observes that the American command situation was "[s]o tangled [ ] that units were uncertain about their commanders and not sure of the positions they were to defend." The basis for this order of battle is a return prepared by General Washington on August 3. It encompasses all of the units stationed in the New York area, not only those involved in the battle. The total provided is a listing of all troops, not just those listed as ready for duty. A substantial number of troops were sick during July and August. For example, General William Heath, writing in his memoirs, recorded that about 10,000 men were sick on August 8, and Washington reported on September 2 having fewer than 20,000 men present and fit for duty. Later returns were apparently impossible: Washington wrote to Congress on August 26 that "[t]he shifting and changing which the regiments have undergone of late has prevented their making proper returns, and of course puts it out of my power to transmit a general one of the army." The notes for each unit give some indication of where it was stationed, and what sort of movements it made, especially between August 22 and 29, a time period in which there were several significant movements and reassignments of troops. A number of units were moved from Manhattan to Long Island after the British landing on Long Island, and more were sent over during and after the fighting to bolster the defenses before they were finally abandoned on August 29. Detailed American casualties are not available because many of the relevant records were destroyed by fire in 1800. British and Hessian estimates placed the total American losses at around 3,000, and a return prepared by General Howe listed 1,097 prisoners, including Generals John Sullivan, Lord Stirling, and Nathaniel Woodhull. Casualty numbers for specific units are rare; historian John Gallagher has compiled a partial listing confirming 1,120 killed or missing, noting that returns for 52 of 70 units under Washington's command are missing. The Maryland Regiment of William Smallwood was virtually wiped out, suffering 256 killed and more than 100 captured out of a unit numbering nearly 400. Casualty figures are listed as notes if they are available for a given unit. UnitCommanderUnit sizeNotesPutnam's DivisionCommanderMajor General Israel Putnam5,615This division was stationed on Manhattan during the battle. Read's Brigade Colonel Joseph Read1,997This brigade was actually assigned to Brig. Gen. James Clinton. Read commanded it in the general's absence.3rd Continental Regiment Colonel Ebenezer Learned 521 13th Continental Regiment Colonel Joseph Read 505 23rd Continental Regiment Colonel John Bailey 503 26th Continental Regiment Colonel Loammi Baldwin 468 Scott's Brigade Brigadier General John Morin Scott1,527This unit was originally stationed in lower Manhattan. It was sent to Long Island before the battle. New York militia Colonel John Lasher 510 New York levies Colonel William Malcolm 297 New York militia Colonel Samuel Drake 459 New York militia Colonel Cornelius Humphrey 261 Fellows' Brigade Brigadier General John Fellows2,091This brigade was stationed on Manhattan, and did not participate in the battle. Massachusetts militia Colonel Simeon Cary 569This unit had men from Bristol and Plymouth Counties. Heath's DivisionCommanderMajor General William Heath4,265Heath, based at King's Bridge, was responsible for the northernmost defenses, on the Hudson just above Manhattan. Most of his units were not involved in the battle. Mifflin's Brigade Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin2,453This brigade was stationed at Harlem Heights, and did not participate in the battle. Mifflin went to Brooklyn with some of his troops, and commanded the rear of the retreat to Manhattan. 5th Pennsylvania Battalion Colonel Robert Magaw 480These units was sent to Brooklyn on the morning of August 28. 16th Continental Regiment Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent 527 Ward's Connecticut Regiment Colonel Andrew Ward 437 Clinton's Brigade Brigadier General George Clinton1,812This unit was stationed in upper Manhattan before the battle. New York militia Colonel James Swartwout 364This unit was from Dutchess County. New York militia Colonel Morris Graham 437This unit was from Dutchess County. Wadsworth's Brigade Brigadier General James Wadsworth3,420 Silliman's Battalion Colonel Gold Selleck Silliman 415This unit was initially stationed on Manhattan, but was transferred to Long Island before the battle. Gay's Battalion Colonel Fisher Gay 449 Sage's Battalion Colonel Comfort Sage 482This unit was initially stationed on Manhattan, but was transferred to Long Island before the battle. The division was on the far left of the American line, and suffered the most from the British onslaught. Sullivan was the most senior Continental officer taken prisoner in the battle. Stirling's Brigade Brigadier General William Alexander (Lord Stirling)3,700This brigade was sent to Long Island on August 25, when it was clear that was the British target. His command was almost wiped out after becoming surrounded, and he was taken prisoner. 1st Maryland Regiment Colonel William Smallwood 400 Some of its men, the Maryland 400, fought a vicious rearguard action that secured the escape of much of Stirling's command. More than 100 men were captured and 256 killed, practically wiping the regiment out. Pennsylvania State Rifle Regiment Colonel Samuel Miles 650This unit was responsible for guarding the hills at the far left of the American line. It suffered heavy casualties: 209 killed or missing. Pennsylvania militia Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Lutz 200 This militia unit was a part of the Pennsylvania "Flying Camp" and was attached to Lord Stirling's force. It suffered heavy losses. Pennsylvania militia Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kachlein 200 This militia unit was a part of the Pennsylvania "Flying Camp" and was attached to "Lord Stirling's" force. It suffered heavy losses. Pennsylvania militia Major William Hay 2001st Reg. Flying Camp of Lancaster Co. (Pa.) McDougall's Brigade Brigadier General Alexander McDougall1,988Originally stationed in lower Manhattan, some of these troops were sent to Long Island before the battle. 428This was McDougall's regiment prior to his promotion. 2nd New York Regiment Colonel Rudolphus Ritzema 434 19th Continental Regiment Colonel Charles Webb 542This unit was sent to Long Island before the battle. 419 7th Continental Regiment Colonel William Prescott 399 12th Continental Regiment Colonel Moses Little 453 Heard's Brigade Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard1,594This brigade was sent to Long Island on August 25, when it was clear that was the British target. New Jersey State Troops Colonel David Forman 372 New Jersey militia Colonel Philip Johnston 235Johnston's unit was on guard duty on the Flatbush Road the night before the attack. Johnston was mortally wounded in the battle. New Jersey militia Colonel Ephraim Martin 382 New Jersey militia Colonel Silas Newcomb 336 New Jersey militia Colonel Phillip Van Cortlandt 269Other unitsConnecticut militia brigadeBrigadier General Oliver Wolcott4,200This brigade was stationed on Manhattan, and did not participate in the battle. 2nd Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel Jabez Thompson 350 13th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Colonel Benjamin Hinman 350 18th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Colonel Jonathan Pettibone 350 16th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Colonel Joseph Platt Cooke 350 23rd Regiment of Connecticut Militia Colonel Matthew Talcott 350 22nd Regiment of Connecticut Militia Colonel Samuel Chapman 350 10th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel Jonathan Baldwin 350 9th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel John Mead 350 4th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel Ichabod Lewis 350 19th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel George Pitkin 350 15th Regiment of Connecticut Militia Lt. Colonel Selah Heart (taken prisoner 9/15/1776) Major Simeon Strong 350 1st Regiment of Connecticut Militia Major Roger Newberry 350Long Island militiaBrigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull450These units performed "fatigue" work, principally driving cattle. Stationed on the American left, it included small cavalry units familiar with the area, but these were not used for guard duty. Long Island militia Colonel Josiah Smith 250This unit was from Suffolk County. and included men from Kings County. ArtilleryColonel Henry Knox403Total size30,434Unless otherwise cited, the information in this table is provided by Fischer, pp. 385–388.