Extract of a letter from a Gentleman to his friend in this town, dated at Long Island, near New-York, August 31, 1776.

The 22d the army landed on Long Island about 8 o'clock in the morning; I was permitted with a number of Gentlemen to land with them; as an idle spectator I had nothing to do but to observe the motions of the Army; the shore on which they landed was fine, nothing to obstruct them, the land flat and mostly clear; my being in one of the first boats, gave me an opportunity of seeing the whole Army as they landed and formed; the grenadiers and light infantry landed first and formed three columns and then the train of artillery; after that followed three brigades forming three squares behind each column to complete the disposition of this grand army; 5000 men brought up the rear, extending from right to left, the whole covered the plain four miles in length and three in breadth. To give you a more perfect idea of this grand appearance, I here prick down the columns, Artillery, Brigades, and Rear Guard, as I took them on the spot with my pencil. This Army consisting of 16000, all landed within two hours under the cannon of four men of war and two bomb ships, such was the warlike appearance of this army, that not only the Rebels who were stationed there to oppose the landing of the troops, fled, leaving all behind them without firing a shot, but the same panic seized the poor inhabitants, they ran with their wives and children, until the advance guard overtook them, and advised them to return to their homes, assuring them that they were safe while under the protection of the Royal Army. Never did a people more readily embrace an opportunity with greater pleasure; joy sparkled in every countenance. The army encamped about five miles from were they landed; four days past without anything being done, except a few skirmishes; in that time the troops landed their baggage, and made preparations for marching.
We now come to the fatal day of the Rebels. the 27th the troops began to march; after they had advanced about two miles into the woods, they met the Rebels strongly posted on the height in the woods: a general engagement ensued, with the advanced part of our army, about 5000; the Rebels were 10,000, by the account of Lord Sterling and General O'Sulivan, who were taken prisoners, the Rebels were drove form post to post, until General Howe ordered them to halt, (meaning his own troops) biut by the number of the Rebels that were stopt, some lying prostrate on the ground, other standing like statues begging for mercy, one would suppose both armies were under his control; not less than 3000 were killed and taken prisoners. Our loss is inconsiderable; I do not chose to mention for fear of not being credited. I leave that to those who may have a more certain account. Thus they were completely beaten in their own way, to complete their disgrace.