The fleet also sailed out--all that could get away--and the whole expedition was abandoned.
[Illustration: GENERAL MOULTRIE.] [Sidenote: Defense of New York, 1776.] [Sidenote: Battle of Long Island, 1776.] [Sidenote: Escape of the Americans.] 141.

Long Island and Brooklyn Heights, 1776 .-- The very day that the British left Boston, Washington ordered five regiments to New York.

For he well knew that city would be the next point of attack.

But he need not have been in such a hurry.

General Howe, the new British commander-in-chief, sailed first to Halifax and did not begin the campaign in New York until the end of August.