In March, 1776, the King's troops evacuated Boston and sailed to Halifax. The SEVENTEENTH landed at Halifax, and remained in Nova Scotia about two months; in the early part of June they again embarked, and, sailing towards New York, landed on Staten Island in the beginning of July. At this place the army was reinforced with troops from Great Britain, also with a body of Hessians; and the SEVENTEENTH, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Samuel Birch, were attached to the Highland Brigade under Brigadier-General Sir William Erskine. On the 22nd of August a landing was effected on _Long Island_; on the 25th the American piquets were surprised by detachments of the SEVENTEENTH under Captain Oliver de Lancey; and at nine o'clock on the evening of the 26th the regiment led the van of the army from Flatland across the country to seize on a pass in the heights extending along the middle of the island. Arriving within half a mile of the pass, an American patrole was captured, and Lieut.-General Clinton learning that the enemy had not taken possession of the pass, it was immediately occupied. Passing the heights at day-break, the regiment moved towards Bedford, where it arrived about half-past eight o'clock, and immediately attacked a large body of Americans, who were quitting the woody heights to join their army in the fortified lines at _Brooklyn_; some desultory fighting took place, in which the SEVENTEENTH evinced great gallantry;--Lieutenant William Loftus particularly distinguishing himself,--and the Americans were driven back with severe loss: General Sulivan, two brigadier-generals, and ten field officers being among the prisoners. The SEVENTEENTH routed the American cavalry at the village of Jamaica, and at the close of the action Lieut.-General Clinton and Brigadier-General Sir William Erskine thanked the officers and men of the regiment for their gallant conduct. General Sir William Howe stated in his public despatch, "The behaviour of both officers and soldiers, British and Hessians, was highly to their honour. More determined courage and steadiness in troops have never been experienced, or a greater ardour to distinguish themselves." On the night of the 29th of August the Americans abandoned their works, and crossed the East-river to New York. Long Island having thus been reduced, with little loss, the SEVENTEENTH embarked from thence, and, crossing the river, took part in forcing the enemy to evacuate New York: the regiment was also engaged in the action at _Pelham-manor_ on the 18th of October. Advancing up the country the regiment joined the army on the 20th of October, and on the 28th it was one of the corps engaged in forcing the passage of the Brunx River, and in chasing the Americans to their entrenchments at the entrance of _White Plains_. The regiment had one man and five horses killed; Lieutenant William Loftus, four rank and file, and three horses wounded.