OR Post 4: 1776

After the Colonists' victory at Dorchester Heights the British occupation began to grow exponentially. From April to August ships constantly were coming into hte New York harbor with British and Hessian troops. By the end of August the total number of troops under British command in America totaled 42,000. Compared to the poulation of New York which was only 30,000 (148). With these newfound British troops came no response from the colonists. Many enlistments had already expired and they had a right to tend to their family or farms. Later in August the British attacked New York as well as Long Island. The Rebel resistence was futile for the Briitsh out numbered them by three fold. Soon thereafter the colonists were backed into Brooklyn. The battle of Long Island and Brokklyn ended up being disasterous. However, some 9,000 american troops retreated without a life lost. After the fiasco, numbers of American losses were sent to England from general Howe and created a boost of morale for the Brits as well as their soldiers. On the opposite side of the spectrum the americans were reeling after their defeat, creating a wave of dampened spirits throughout the land. Soon to follow however was aminor victory at the Battle of Harlem Heights which Washington so humbly puts it "a petty sharp skirmish." However minimal the victory may have been it was a step in the right direction. It boosted confidence in the revolution once again.
As the year progesses the Americans are getting more and more of a taste of what is to come in the following years. They soon realize that not all battles will be won and they must persevere through the fight. The struggle is very evident in this section for the British reinforcements are piling in each day by the hundreds and thousands, while the americans are losing troops due to enlistment expirations. Constantly retreating the struggle for the Americans will be to be relentless in their pursuit for independence and remember what they are fighting for.