battle august failed attack american revolutionary war fortified loyalist outpost long_island new_york force continental_army troops connecticut command brigadier general attempt repeat success earlier parsons force crossed attack loyalist position alerted spies planned assault lieutenant colonel strongly fortified local presbyterian church surrounding earthworks demand surrender brief ensued significant damage parsons withdrew returned connecticut background qualified success british forced abandon boston captured new_york_city unable hold new_jersey general george_washington surprised princeton british consolidated hold new_york_city long_island winter months early continental_army established land blockade city new_jersey southern new_york southwestern connecticut spring lieutenant general launched raiding expeditions continental_army local militia storage depots near city successful raid new_york march prompted organize ambitious expedition raid depot connecticut expedition led royal governor new_york successfully reached landing point connecticut april destroyed provisions supplies connecticut militia mobilized days british marched ships notably april general leading connecticut defenses decided organize act raid executed great success colonel harbor eastern long_island prompted parsons consider actions loyalist positions island august parsons brigade stationed new_york received orders authorizing expedition loyalist targets long_island parsons immediately ordered colonel muster regiment numbering men march connecticut parsons followed reaching august loyalists recruited new_york lieutenant colonel 3rd battalion established fortified position early august central north shore long_island force took town presbyterian meeting house fortified spies informed parsons troops set force improving defenses building feet meters high distance feet meeting house works mounted small swivel guns battle night august parsons set taking small brass cannons early morning landed crane neck present day old field west marched finding loyalists strongly entrenched parsons sent truce flag demand surrender refused demand forces began hour exchange gunfire incurred significant casualties colonel reported man wounded small american cannons failed impression fortifications concerned armed british ships sound hear battle come investigate parsons called assault retreated taking dozen captured horses blankets aftermath attackers successfully sound parsons assigned regiment patrol connecticut shore december parsons involved elaborate attempt taking british military stores failed rough seas prevented crossing boat captured british ship lieutenant colonel favorably mentioned general orders defense post abandoned months later target major expedition frequently target small scale raids significant intelligence way american spies new_york washington spy chief native operated called ring number residents figured prominently patriot refugee long_island member parsons expedition later served minister congregation new building erected site portrayal fictionalized portrayal battle appears season finale series turn washington spies portrayal major led continental forces british garrison led major
Battle of Setauket