The Battle of Staten Island is a raid by Continental Army troops under Major General John Sullivan against British forces on Staten Island on August 22, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War.
After British Lieutenant General William Howe sails with most of his army from New York in July, the Americans recognize that the British position on Staten Island is vulnerable, and plans an attack.
Sullivan's raid is well-executed, but it suffers from a shortage of boats to effect the crossing, and one of its detachments is misled by its guide to the front of the enemy position rather than its rear.
As a result, Sullivan does not take as many prisoners as expected, and has about two hundred of his own men taken prisoner due in part to the lack of boats.
Although Sullivan is accused of mismanaging the raid, a court martial held later in 1777 exonerates Sullivan of all charges.
