The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 (The Revolution Trilogy Book 1)

by Rick Atkinson

overture to Washington to discuss “the King’s benevolent intentions” had been rebuffed in July; among other defects, the invitation was addressed “to George Washington Esqr. &c. &c.,” pointedly omitting his military rank. The rout on Long Island provided another opening, and Howe hosted the captured generals, Stirling and Sullivan, for several dinners aboard the Eagle. He spoke of his family’s gratitude for the compassion shown by New Englanders when, almost two decades earlier, his older brother was killed at Fort Carillon. Sullivan took the bait: released from captivity, he arrived in Philadelphia in early September to assure Congress that the admiral was sympathetic to the cause, opposed British meddling in American affairs, and had broad powers of negotiation. Admiral Howe wanted but “half an hour’s conversation” with a few members “in their private capacities.” At two p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, Richard Howe stood on a sandy beach just below the Billopp mansion, a fieldstone manor house built on the southwestern nob of Staten Island almost a century earlier, with massive white oak beams and slave quarters in the garret. To please the nose, fresh moss and flowering sprigs had been scattered that morning on the red oak plank floors in the entrance hall and adjacent parlor. Brother William was busy preparing the army’s return to action, so the admiral would handle today’s encounter alone. Howe wore a knee-length blue uniform coat with white lapels, the buttonholes e...