Editing George Washington (section)

====Battle of Long Island====
{{Main|Battle of Long Island}}
[[File:Battle_of_Long_Island.png|thumb|alt=Map diagramming the British landing in New York and Washington's retreat|Map of the [[Battle of Long Island]]]]

After the victory at Boston, Washington correctly guessed that the British would return to [[New York City]] and retaliate. He arrived there on April 13, 1776, and ordered the construction of fortifications. He also ordered his forces to treat civilians and their property with respect, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands of British troops.{{sfn|Chernow|2010|pp=229–230}} The British forces, including more than a hundred ships and thousands of troops, began arriving on [[Staten Island]] in July to lay siege to the city.{{sfnm|Fischer|2004|1pp=32–33|Taylor|2016|2pp=162–163}}

Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and [[Hessian (soldier)|Hessian auxiliaries]]; Washington had 23,000 men, mostly untrained recruits and militia.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1pp=244–245|Taylor|2016|2pp=162–163}} In August, Howe landed 20,000 troops at [[Gravesend, Brooklyn]], and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8,000 soldiers.{{sfnm|Ellis|2004|1pp=95–96|Chernow|2010|2p=244}} In the [[Battle of Long Island]], Howe assaulted Washington's flank and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.{{sfn|Taylor|2016|p=164}} Washington retreated to [[Manhattan]].{{sfn|McCullough|2005|pp=186–195}}

Howe sent a message to Washington to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq." Washington declined to accept the message, demanding to be addressed with diplomatic protocol&mdash;not as a rebel.{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1p=240|Pearson|2009|2pp=157–158|Taylor|2016|3p=164}} Despite misgivings, Washington heeded the advice of General Greene to defend [[Fort Washington (Manhattan)|Fort Washington]], but was ultimately forced to abandon it.{{sfnm|McCullough|2005|1pp=236&ndash;237|Chernow|2010|2pp=257&ndash;262|Rhodehamel|2017|3loc=6: Winter Soldier}} Howe pursued and Washington retreated across the [[Hudson River]] to [[Fort Lee Historic Park|Fort Lee]]. In November, Howe [[Battle of Fort Washington|captured Fort Washington]]. Loyalists in New York City considered Howe a liberator and spread a rumor that Washington had set fire to the city.{{sfnm|Alden|1996|1p=137|Taylor|2016|2p=165}} Now reduced to 5,400 troops, Washington's army retreated through [[Province of New Jersey|New Jersey]].{{sfnm|Fischer|2004|1pp=224–226|Taylor|2016|2pp=166–169}}