A (posthumous) Unit Citation! Continental Artillery at Shoemaker's Farm

 As promised, I updated my "Unit Battle Honors" page with a new citation issued to the Continental Artillery detachment that fought in support of Heard's Brigade at the Battle of Long Island, a virtual battle put on by Jon F this past Saturday.  

For those that missed the posts, read here, here, or here first!  Then read about the brave exploits of the "Honorable Train of Artillery" and the detachment that held up the British Army at Shoemaker's Farm below.  Here is the entry.  If you'd like to see some other impossible battlefield exploits, check out my Unit Battle Honors page!  Also thanks again to Jonathan for providing the picture of the lads in action by their guns.  This is the first time one of the units receiving a citation is not from my own collection!

The detachment's citation follows:

Unit: Continental Artillery Detachment / attached to Heard's Brigade / Continental Army

Mustered into Service: unknown

Battle Honors: Defensive Action during the Battle of Long Island, August 1776

Photo courtesy of Palouse Wargaming Journal

Citation:  Continental Artillery Detachment attached to Heard's Brigade during the Battle of Long Island is posthumously awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for conspicuous gallantry for their heroic defense of the Continental hilltop position overlooking the bridge at Shoemaker's Farm in support of Heard's Brigade.  The detachment, with its 6 lb guns, was sited along a high-speed avenue of approach towards the Continental position and defended the northeast portion of the hill from relentless British attacks by regular troops.  Time and again, the detachment beat back or defeated multiple coordinated assaults against their position with shot, and continued their defiant stand even after their infantry supports were forced back.  The detachment weathered more than 6 direct assaults by British infantry battalions against their position, and countless volleys by formed British regulars, but remained in position, determined to protect their guns.  Their courageous stand held up the British advance and bought precious time for a secondary defensive line to be established south of the hill.  Their actions reflect great credit upon Sullivan's Division, the Honorable Train of Artillery and the Continental Army.