The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn, was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War following the United States Declaration of Independence. It was fought on August 27, 1776, was a decisive British victory that caused commander George Washington and his entire army to evacuate.
Washington and his men were driven out of New York entirely after several more defeats and forced to retreat through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.
The aftermath of these events raised many doubts on the credibility of the Continental Army and George Washington’s ability to lead the army to victory against an overpowering British brigade. The confidence of the American people was reeling and Washington’s competence was deeply in question. Washington’s army was shrinking from expiring enlistments, declining morale, and countless desertions, due to the defeats in the New York region.
During this season of escalating defeat, Washington writes, “I am wearied to death all day… I tell you that I never was in such an unhappy, divided state since I was born.” As the majority of Americans lose trust in his abilities to lead, even one of his own subordinates, General Charles Lee, tries to capitalize off the crisis in an effort to hijack Washington’s position as commander-in-chief. Fueled by selfish ambition, Lee attacks Washington’s competency and credibility, calling him a “blunderer” and “most damnably deficient.”
Things couldn’t have gotten any worse for the man who would one day be referred to as the “Father of his country.”
But all that would change a few months later on a wintry Christmas night in Trenton, New Jersey, when his leadership would change the course of the war and set the stage for an entire nation to be born out of chaos.
The “blunderer” would soon be called a “hero”…
On the night of December 25th, 1776, Washington led a daring counter attack across the Delaware River as weather turned from drizzle to rain to sleet and snow. The soldiers faced daunting odds with their most significant danger being ice floating in the river. Yet the boldness of their surprise attack paid off. They killed twenty-two of their enemies, wounded ninety-eight, and captured one thousand prisoners, in addition to seizing muskets, gunpowder, and artillery. Only three Americans were killed and six were wounded.
This pivotal conquest boosted morale and restored trust in the army as well as Washington’s leadership.
The rest is “history!”
The first things that come to mind with George Washington’s name are his commanding presidency, great leadership skills, and irresistible courage. We don’t think too often that at one time he was esteemed as a crippled leader and incompetent loser who couldn’t command the Continental Army to victory against an overpowering British brigade. But at one time, that’s the reputation Washington carried; incompetent, untrustworthy, and a losing commander! George Washington went from incompetent loser to one of history’s greatest leaders – almost overnight!
Leader: Don’t lose hope. Don’t quit. Don’t make excuses.
Seize this moment and dare to do great things for your God. Take that risk – implement that BOLD move! Venture that God-sized undertaking.
Your “Delaware Crossing” may be closer than you realize. It’s coming!