midnight
The line of hills trended away greatly to the left , and the enemy had neglected to secure the passes over the hills on this flank ; consequently , at nine o'clock in the morning , the British passed the range of hills without resistance , and occupied Bedford in its rear . Had Sir William Howe now pushed on vigorously , the whole of Puttenham 's force must have been captured . In the meantime the Hessians from Flatbush attacked the center of the Americans , and after a warm engagement , routed them and drove them into the woods with a loss of three pieces of cannon . On the British left General Grant also advanced , and at midnight carried a strong pass on the enemy 's left . Retiring , they held a still stronger position further back and offered a fierce resistance until the fires at Bedford showed that the English had obtained a position almost in their rear , when they retreated precipitately . -LSB- Illustration : Sketch of the British Position on Long Island . -RSB- The victory was a complete one , but it had none of the consequences which would have attended it had the English pushed forward with energy after turning the American left .