August 31, 1776

This letter describes some of the injuries and fatalities in the Battle of Long Island. Twenty-six-year-old Hermanus Rutgers—a relative of the recipient of this letter—was killed. Lieutenant Colonel Caleb Parry “died heroically, urging his men on against the enemy.” Another letter extracted in the Pennsylvania Ledger elaborated that Parry had been “shot through the head,” and retreating soldiers carried his body and personal effects to safety.

The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser
Printed by James Humphreys, Jr.

Extract of a letter from New-York, August 27.

“I sit down in the midst of confusion to tell you that our people have been engaged with the enemy on Long-Island all this morning, and are at it yet; We cannot get at particulars. Those who have come over say, the enemy have lost the most men. Lieut. Col. Parry, of one of the Pennsylvania battalions, is killed; he died heroically, urging his men on against the enemy. Your kinsman, Hermanus Rutgers was killed yesterday. Several of the enemies ships have attempted coming up this morning, but both wind and tide are a head, and they are hitherto baffled. Our men on the island behave bravely: Heaven send them victory.

“Thirty-five minutes past twelve noon. Firing still continues with intermissions. A man of war coming up, said to be the Roebuck, has just lost, by a flaw, all she gained last tack. Several fires have been kindled on the island. I believe our people set fire to hay, grain, &c. To prevent the enemy’s getting possession of them. Capt. Farmer, of Colonel Miles’s regiment, is slightly wounded in the foot, and brought to this city. I think some men of war will be up next tide.

“P. S. The first battalion of New-York, Col. Lasher, and the Pennsylvania and Maryland battalions, behaved with the greatest bravery, even to a fault: They were commanded by Lord Sterling. I fear some of our bravest officers from the southward are among the slain. We forced the enemy into their lines. Parry is killed, Capt. Farmer is slightly wounded, and Major Abeel of New-York, killed.”