ot seize me." But the grandest
words inspired by the pervading anxiety were those penned by Abigail
Adams, the noble wife of the Massachusetts delegate. "We have had many
stories," she wrote from Braintree, September 9th, "concerning
engagements upon Long Island this week, of our lines being forced and
of our troops returning to New York. Particulars we have not yet
obtained. All we can learn is that we have been unsuccessful there;
having many men as prisoners, among whom are Lord Stirling and General
Sullivan. _But if we should be defeated, I think we shall not be
conquered. A people fired, like the Romans, with love of their country
and of liberty, a zeal for the public good, and a noble emulation of
glory, will not be disheartened or dispirited by a succession of
unfortunate events. But, like them, may we learn by defeat the power
of becoming invincible!_"

This was the true inspiration of the hour. It was this that sustained
Washington and the strong men of the country through all the dark
period that followed. The disaster of the 27th was a disciplinary
experience. It was but the first of a series of blows that were to
harden us for future endurance. The event was accepted in this spirit
by all who had taken up the cause in earnest; and in this light the
memory of the day deserves to be forever celebrated and perpetuated.
Here, on Long Island, all was done that could be done, for we had met
the enemy at the sea. Here America made her first stand against
England's first great effort to subdue her; and here her resolution to
continue resistance was first tested and tempered in the fire of
battle.

* * * * *

THE LOSSES AT THE BATTLE.--So many widely different
estimates have been made as to the extent of the American
loss on Long Island, that it becomes a matter of historical
interest to fix the actual figures, if possible, beyond
dispute.

The first official reference to the matter occurs in the
letter which Washington directed Colonel Harrison, his
secretary, to write to Congress on the evening of the
battle. Nothing definite on this point being known at that
hour, Harrison, after announcing the attack of the enemy,
and the retreat of the troops into the Brooklyn lines, could
only make the vague report that the American loss was
"pretty considerable." On Thursday morning, the 29th, at
"half after four A.M.,"