General Charles Lee's Warning Preceded Major Revolutionary War Battle in New York
In the summer of 1776, General George Washington faced a critical dilemma regarding the defense of New York City. General Charles Lee had previously warned that 'Whoever commands the sea must command the town,' a statement that proved prescient as the British gained naval superiority by the end of June. Despite this, Washington felt compelled to defend New York. The British began landing thousands of troops and German mercenaries on Long Island on August 22. Washington reinforced Long Island but also kept troops in Manhattan, a risky division of forces against a superior enemy. British intelligence discovered a critical vulnerability in the American defenses: the Jamaica Pass, a far eastern pass along the Heights of Guan, was left largely unguarded. On August 26, a British column of ten thousand men exploited this weakness, outflanking the American forces. The following morning, August 27, the British launched a diversionary attack, while their main army, having bypassed American lines, advanced towards Br... 
