Battle of Setauket

Battle of Setauket
Part of the American Revolutionary War
The current Setauket Presbyterian Church (built 1812), sits on the site of the Loyalist fortifications
Date August 22, 1777 Location Setauket, New York Result British victory
Belligerents
United States	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Samuel Holden Parsons	Richard Hewlett
Strength
500 Continental Army infantry	260 Loyalist militia
Casualties and losses
1 wounded	none

The Battle of Setauket (August 22, 1777) was a failed attack during the American Revolutionary War on a fortified Loyalist outpost in Setauket, Long Island, New York, by a force of Continental Army troops from Connecticut under the command of Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons.

In an attempt to repeat the success of the earlier Meigs Raid against Sag Harbor, Parsons' force crossed Long Island Sound to attack the Loyalist position. Alerted by spies to the planned assault, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hewlett strongly fortified the local Presbyterian church, surrounding it with a stockade and earthworks. After Hewlett rejected Parsons' demand to surrender, a brief firefight ensued that did no significant damage. Parsons then withdrew and returned to Connecticut.

The American Revolutionary War was a qualified success for the British in 1776. After being forced to abandon Boston, they captured New York City, but were unable to hold New Jersey when General George Washington surprised them at Trenton and Princeton. The British consolidated their hold on New York City and Long Island during the winter months of early 1777, while the Continental Army established a land blockade around the city in New Jersey, southern New York, and southwestern Connecticut.

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