Sketch of the Country Illustrating the late Engagement in Long Island, from the Gentleman's Magazine
Anonymous, British, late 18th century British
Not on view
London periodicals regularly reported on the American Revolutionary War (1775-81) and this map, published in October 1776, documents the taking of New York by British troops in late August. For more than a month, British forces had arrived by ship and massed on Staten Island, then began to cross to Long Island on August 21, attacking the Colonial army under George Washington in Brooklyn five days later. After suffering significant losses, the Americans crossed to Manhattan and were slowly forced to retreat north, leaving the city in British hands through the remainder of the war. New Jersey is shown here at left, Manhattan and New York Bay at center, Long Island at right, and Westchester above.
