Reactions in Britain to the News of the Battle of Long Island

It was well into the first week of October 1776, and all of Britain was anxious for news.

By the last official dispatch printed in the October 1 edition of the London Gazette, as of the 15th of August, the British army in America under the command of Gen. William Howe was fully assembled and ready for action. The Brigade of Guards and several regiments of Hessians finally arrived after an arduous Atlantic crossing and were landed on Staten Island, as well as the long-awaited supplies of camp equipage. “No time will be lost,” Howe assured Secretary of State Lord George Germain, “in proceeding upon the Operations of the Campaign.”[1]

Rumors floating across the channel of news in Dutch papers and word brought by American ships putting into the French port of Nantes told of a great battle fought the very next day, August 16, 1776, where “General and Admiral Howe landed about 15 to 18,000 men” and “marched up to the intrechments of the Americans near New-York.” General Washington “having advanced with the greatest part of his army, began the attack, which was repulsed with the loss of about 4,000 men; that having again renewed the engagement with fresh troops, they attacked the King’s forces, sword in hand, defeated and drove them off, and kept possession of the field of battle.” The reported toll was dreadful—the loss on both sides was estimated at 11,000, with the King’s troops losing 5,000 in killed and wounded.[2]

The Caledonian Mercury tried to reassure its readers around Edinburgh that the “loss of men makes this account almost incredible if it came even from a more authentic quarter; but some of the letters from Nantz say, that the story is not credited there.”[3] According to the London General Evening Post, what made “still farther convincing proof to the contrary, General Howe’s letter to Lord George Germain was dated the 15th of August, on Staten Island. . . . The public need not be informed, that the landing an army, with their artillery, is a work of time.”[4]

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Then, on October 10, page four of the General Evening Post broke with a scoop:

We have the unspeakable pleasure to assure the public, that notwithstanding all the fabricated accounts of a victory obtained by the Rebels over the King’s forces at New-York, which have appeared in some of our truth-declaring prints, the fact is diametrically otherwise; for this morning MAJOR CUYLER arrived express from GENERAL HOWE, with an account of his having attacked a very numerous body of the Provincials, stationed at Long Island, which he took with very little loss, having but fifty men killed and wounded, though he killed and made prisoners of more than three thousand of the enemy.[5]

It was true—Maj. Cornelius Cuyler of the 55th Regiment and General Howe’s first aide-de-camp arrived home with Howe’s official dispatches. He had put into Plymouth just a few days before aboard the Lord Hyde packet after a month-long passage from New York, and rode express the 200 miles to Germain’s office at Whitehall in London.[6] The presses at the London Gazette went quickly to work on a new Extraordinary—editions of the Gazette printed out of its usual twice-weekly schedule to announce important breaking news. The London Gazette Extraordinary, with General Howe’s September 3 public report to Lord Germain announcing the defeat of General Washington at the Battle of Long Island, hit the streets later in the day of October 10, 1776.

For the first time since the war began in April 1775, the columns of British newspapers weren’t filled with stories of large numbers of casualties, sickness, provision shortages, changes of command, and evacuations. Finally, the it was the King’s troops, and not the Americans, who held the upper hand. The news spread quickly.

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The London Morning Post and Daily Advertiser reported that when Lord Germain briefed the King on Howe’s dispatches, “instead of triumphing in the conquest, as it was generally imagined he would, when he read the return of the killed and wounded Provincials, addressed the secretary of state in the following words:

Since the future consequences of the American rebellion, if we may judge from this fatal event, are likely to be still more bloody and tragical, – may my deluded subjects on the other side of the Atlantic, behold their impending destruction with half the horror that I feel on the occasion, then I think I should soon hear of their throwing off the yoke of republicanism, and like loyal subjects returning to that duty, they owe to an indulgent sovereign.[7]

However, at the London Exchange, the “moment the happy tiding of the defeat of the Provincial forces on Long Island was confirmed yesterday on ‘Change, it is impossible to express the joy that beamed on every countenance; it discovered a scene, however, that strongly exhibited the loyalty and true patriotism of the City of London.”[8] The Evening Post reported that the public funds rose one per cent.[9]

Across the country, Britons took to their pens to express their joy over the momentous events in America. On October 11, a poet signing with the initials “J.D.” composed the following lines submitted to the London Morning Post and Daily Advertiser:

By BRITANNIA, on recovering from a fit of Despondency.
When Sons ungrateful to kind Parents prove,
And break those bands which Duty seal’d with Love,
What trains of Ills from such sad discords rise!
What gloomy scenes appall our languid eyes!
I, —hapless Parent! felt this racking woe!
I —saw my Children from their duty go,
And mourn’d, alas! the envious turns of Fate!
The sudden Revolution of my State!
But now, methinks, a glad’ning ray appears
To sooth my sorrows! —to dry up my tears!
And make my laurels, which I thought wou’d fade,
Bud out afresh, and spread an ampler shade!
May HOWE’S victorious arms perform the deed!
Make Glory after Glory still succeed!
Bid smiling Peace at length expand her door
With greater joy can e’er she knew before!
The future ages shall revere HOWE’S name,
And praise these Brothers, —Brothers both to FAME![10]

Another poet, known only as “M,” was inspired to write a two-part stanza, also submitted to the Morning Post and Daily Advertiser:

I.
SAY! shall Gratitude divine
Partial wreathes and garlands twine? –
At the sacred name of HOWE,
Let Britannia’s Genius bow!
Let her Daughters string thy lyre,
And to worth her Sons aspire! –
But, let Honour give to Fame
Names, which equal honour claim!
Let her CLINTON share the prize,
And to HEAV’N, with PERCY rise!

II.
Lo! on swift, elastic wings
Bright creative Fancy springs!
There, she hears the lofty shell
With celestial cadence swell! –
There, when worlds no more survive,
She beholds the Heroes live!
And, as equal Souls combine,
There, the FOUR IMMORTALS join![11]

The Leeds Intelligencer ran the work of “D” who, upon the victory, saw rekindled hope for the British cause.

HOPE REVISITED.
Tandem resurget.
BRITANNIA, recovering from a Fit of Sickness, rises from the Couch and says,
“When Sons ungrateful to kind Parents prove,
Bursting those bonds which duty seal’d with love;
What trains of evil from such discords rise,
What gloomy scenes appal [sic] our languid eyes!
I hapless Parent, felt this racking woe,
I saw my children from their duty go;
And mourn’d alas! the envious turns of fate,
The sudden revolutions of my state.
But now methinks a gladdening ray appears,
To sooth my sorrows, to dry up my tears;
And make my laurels, which I thought would face,
Bud out afresh, and spread an ampler shade.
May Howe’s victorious arms atchieve [sic] the deed,
Make glory after glory still succeed;
Bid smiling Peace at length expand her door,
With greater joy than e’er she knew before!
So future ages shall revere Howe’s name,
And praise those Brothers – Brothers both to Fame.”[12]

The celebratory mood also spilled into the streets across the island. In the south, a correspondent with the penname “Squib” was travelling from Bath to London, and reported that:

I am this Moment arrived in Town [London] from Bath, and am infinitely surprised to hear in London there was no ringing of Bells, lighting of Bonfires and Candles, firing of Guns, Squibs, &c. on the Arrival of this important News from America. Why, Sir, the Inhabitants of Bath exceed the Metropolis in Loyalty beyond Conception. Such smirking and smiling, such Congratulations, and such Transport, such capering, flirting, and s—ring about; such Illuminations, &c. on the joyful Occasion, that you would really have imagined this unhappy War was surely at an End, that the Ministry had recovered their Senses, and America that hereditary Liberty, of which, if she be honest to herself, it is not in the Power of all the Kings and Ministers in Europe to deprive her. These rational Effusions of Joy exhibited in the City of Bath were, I was told, inspired by the most noble Lord Claire, whose extatick Loyalty became on a sudden so ungovernably ardent, that he had almost set Fire to the whole City. The Cause, indeed, was sufficiently adequate to the Effect. Twenty-thousand disciplin’d Veterans have defeated three thousand irregular Militia- Parturiant montes, nascitur ridiculas mus.[13]

To the northwest of Bath, in the village of Pill, just outside the city of Bristol at the mouth of the River Avon:

was observed . . . a rejoicing day . . . on account of the defeat of the America rebels, and the taking of Long-Island. Such a general joy diffused itself throughout that place, that the people vied with each other in shewing their loyalty to their King and country, and their utter detestation of the proceedings of the Americans. In the evening a large bonfire was made, the whole town illuminated, and guns fired, with every other demonstration of joy. The effigies of Hancock, Adams, and Washington, (which were tarred and feathered) were carried all round St. George’s and Pill in a cart, with halters round their necks; after which they were hanged up for a short time on a gallows erected for that purpose, and then thrown into the fire and burnt, amidst the acclamations of some hundreds of spectators. Great quantities of liquor were given by the neighbouring gentlemen, and after drinking his Majesty’s and the Royal Family’s health, and success to the British arms in America, the populace all peaceably dispersed.[14]

Once “the news of the success of the British troops” reached Sudbury, on the east coast in Suffolk, “the bells were immediately set a ringing, and flags were hoisted in honour of his Majesty; the sincerity of the loyal inhabitants of this borough, was evinced by the joy in their countenances; in the evening amongst other demonstrations of joy, there was a great bonfire and a variety of fireworks in the marketplace.”[15]

A great celebration was had at Dudley, outside the city of Birmingham in the West Midlands:

The Gazette containing an Account of the late Victory over the Rebels, not arriving here till Saturday Evening [October 12], no further Demonstrations of Joy could be then shewn than a few Peals on the Bells; but Monday Morning was ushered in with Ringing, and about One o’Clock a Flag prepared for the Occasion, having on it the ORDER OF SAINT GEORGE, with the Motto of “Pro Rege et Patria” made its Appearance at the Town Hall, where most of the principal Inhabitants met to dine, and spent a truly joyous Afternoon; in the Course of which the following Toasts, among others, were given, (viz.) the King – Queen and Royal Family – Lord North – the Brothers – Gen. Clinton – Lord Cornwallis – Lord Percy – General Heister – General Carleton – General Burgoyne – Lord Dunmore – Governor Tryon – Sir John Wrottesley – and, the rest of his Majesty’s Officers and Troops, both British and Foreign, in America – May Success ever attend the British Arms – Liberty without Faction, and Loyalty without Servility – May the deluded Americans soon see their Error, and be restored to their former Liberty and Happiness – May the Town of Dudley continue distinguished for its Liberty and Loyalty to the latest Posterity; between the Toasts, “God save the King,” and several other Pieces suitable to the Occasion, were played with Horns, Clarionets, Bassoons, and Haut-boys; and a Number of Guns were discharged at Intervals. Before the Evening commenced, they walked in Procession, preceded by Music from the Town Hall to the Castle-Gate, singing “God save the King,” accompanied by a vast Concourse of People, who testified great decent Joy on the Occasion. On their Return to the Hall, the Coronation Anthem, Rule Britannia, and, Britons strike Home, &c. were performed with Spirit; and the Evening concluded with great Decorum.[16]

Further north in Liverpool, “the News of the Defeat of the Americans, on Long-Island, was received . . . with universal Joy, on Sunday se’nnight; the Bells rang all Day; and on Monday, at Twelve o’Clock, the Company of Invalids stationed there fired a Feu de Joy.[17]

Yorkshire was in a particularly celebratory mood. In the communities of West Yorkshire around Leeds, the

news of the defeat of the rebels on Long-Island, reached Bradford on Sunday the 13th instant. The bells were set a-ringing immediately after the evening service, and early the next morning the joyful music was re-assumed, which, with some short intervals, continued till late in the evening: Lighted windows and huge bonfires rendered the town quite luminous; these, with the firing of several cannon, had a fine appearance, and, perhaps greater demonstrations of joy were never any where exhibited. – Mr W. a neighbouring gentleman, who had a principal hand in forwarding the above rejoicings, in that, and in every other instance, discovers such a firm attachment to government, and supports the cause with so truly noble and heroic a spirit, as greatly redounds to his credit; at the same time, his open and exemplary conduct affords the greatest satisfaction to the friends of government; it does not fail to intimidate and sometimes silence the vociferous and daring advocates of their Mightinesses, the continental congress: It is greatly to be wished, that every person of independent fortune would act with the same openness and spirit as the above gentleman: the King’s friends would then be firmly and indissolubly united, and his adversaries, – what a pity that so good a man should have any! – would be treated with that contempt and disgrace they so highly deserve.

Rejoicings were also made at Halifax, Huddersfield, Colne; and at most other towns in this neighbourhood on the above occasion.[18]

In the city of York proper, an address was composed by the “Lord Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Commons, of the City of York, in Common-Council assembled,” and given to the Earl of Suffolk to present to the King. It read:

Most gracious Sovereign.
WE your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord-Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Commons, of your ancient city of York, beg leave, with joyful hearts, to congratulate your Majesty upon the late glorious success of your forces in America.
We regard with just indignation, the avowed and hostile defiance of some of your Majesty’s Colonies to the legal authority of the Mother Country, by which they have been so liberally cherished and supported, and from which they derive the most signal advantages. So ungrateful a defection, aggravated by such acts of violence and cruelty that it becomes dangerous to be loyal, obliges us to acknowledge the justice of coercive measures, at the same time that we lament their necessity. But we trust that b the wisdom of your majesty’s Councils, and the terror of your arms, the authors of this unnatural rebellion will speedily be subdued; your Majesty’s faithful American subjects freed from oppression; and those who have been deluded by faction will, by a timely submission, become fit objects of your royal clemency and benevolence.
Permit us, Sire, to assure your Majesty, that our hearts are warm with affection for your Royal Person, Family, and Government; that we are zealous friends to Law, Liberty, and Order, and determined enemies to Faction, Licentiousness and Sedition; and that we regard the honour and dignity of your Majesty’s Crown, and the supreme authority of the British Legislature, as the great pillars of that excellent Constitution, on which depend the freedom and prosperity of every branch of the British Empire.[19]

At Stockton on Tees on the North Sea coast in County Durham, “on receiving the news there of Gen. Howe’s Victory at Long-Island, an almost universal joy diffused itself through the place; and that the day was spent in ringing of bells, firing of guns, &c. &c. to the great mortification of the church-wardens, whom the Letter-writer stiles Rebels to their King and Country!”[20] Another correspondent writing from Stockton to the Northampton Mercury reported that “when News arrived there of the Rebel Army being defeated on Long-Island, an universal joy diffused itself among all the Friends of our good and gracious Sovereign. Many loyal Healths were drank, several Tar-Barrels burnt, the Bells rung, &c.”[21]

The news reached South Shields, at the mouth of the River Tyne, by October 16, when

an incredible number of people assembled in the Market-place, when the bells were set a ringing, bone-fires [sic] were made, and every demonstration of loyalty and joy displayed on the occasion. About six o’clock, most of the principal gentlemen, friends to government, met at Mr. Feard’s to celebrate the event, where an infinite number of pertinent and loyal toasts were drank, and the evening spent with the utmost chearfulness and decorum.[22]

The northernmost celebrations occurred along the banks of Loch Fyne, in Inverary, Scotland. Once the October 14 edition of the Caledonian Mercury made it to the small village forty miles (as the crow flies) northwest of Glasgow,

the inhabitants of this place gave the amplest testimonies of their real satisfaction and joy, by displaying the British flag at the pier-head, illuminations, bon-fires, and a night passed in pleasantry and innocent jollity. Such is the attachment of the natives of this quarter to his Majesty, and the present happy constitution and their utter abhorrence of every species of rebellion and licentious liberty. And it were to be wished that the populace of your city reserved their illuminations for testifying their loyalty on such occasions, in preference to the late gross perversions of the same.[23]

While Washington and his army were not destroyed at the Battle of Long Island, nor the rebellion put down, the mood across Britain in October 1776 was ebullient. There was hope that the end might be near, and the colonies and the mother country would soon yet be reconciled. But the month was not yet over—and there was still more good news on the way.

[1] The London Gazette, September 28 – October 1, 1776.

[2] The Kentish Gazette, October 9-12, 1776.

[3] Caledonian Mercury, October 12, 1776.

[4] The General Evening Post (London), October 8-10, 1776.

[5] Ibid. The Post undercounted the number of casualties. The official return of British and Hessian killed, wounded, and missing on August 27, 1776 was 55 killed, 254 wounded, and 29 missing. See CO 5/93, Part 2, f.263, The National Archives, Kew, UK (TNA).

[6] The Morning Post, and Daily Advertiser, October 8, 1776; Ambrose Serle, The American Journal of Ambrose Serle, ed. Edward H. Tatum, Jr. (New York: New York Times, 1969 [1940]), 92; Frederick Mackenzie, The Diary of Frederick Mackenzie (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1930), 38.

[7] Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, October 14, 1776.

[8] Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, October 11, 1776.

[9] London Evening Post, October 10-12, 1776.

[10] Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, October 15, 1776.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Leeds Intelligencer, October 22, 1776.

[13] St. James’s Chronicle; Or, British Evening Post, October 19-22, 1776; “Parturiant montes, nascitur ridiculas mus” is a reference to a line written by the 1st century BC Roman poet Horace, which translates approximately to “a great effort expended on little outcome.” Oxford Reference, www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20111228153301992

[14] Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, October 24, 1776.

[15] Ipswich Journal, October 19, 1776.

[16] Ari’s Birmingham Gazette, October 21, 1776.

[17] Northampton Mercury, October 28, 1776.

[18] Leeds Intelligencer, October 22, 1776.

[19] Darby Mercury, October 25, 1776.

[20] Newcastle Chronicle, October 19, 1776.

[21] Northampton Mercury, October 28, 1776.

[22] Newcastle Courant, October 19, 1776.

[23] Caledonian Mercury, October 21, 1776.