Battle of Long Island

Date: August 27, 1776 • Location: Flatbush, United States

British forces led by William Howe defeated the Continental Army under George Washington at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.

General William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, was a British Army officer and politician who rose to become Commander-in-Chief, America, during the American War of Independence. Howe was one of three brothers who had distinguished military careers. In historiography of the American war, he is usually referred to as Sir William Howe to distinguish him from his brother Richard, who was 4th Viscount Howe at that time.