NEW YORK 1776, The Continentals’ First Battle by David Smith, Illustrated by Graham Turner. General Sir William Howe’s New York campaign gave the British their best chance of destroying the Continental Army and American resistance to colonial rule. Howe succeeded in defeating the American forces on Long Island but failed to decisively follow up his victory - a pattern that was to be repeated in the encounters that followed. Although the British took New York, General Washington preserved the American Army when a more aggressive pursuit might have ended the war. 703504