In 1806, following the beginning of rebellion in New England, many New Yorkers in the countryside took to arms and fought off the British. The militias were organized and led by William Hull, a former soldier of the First American Revolt. He successfully defeated the British army at Saratoga and Ticonderoga, and used the cannons, artillery, weapons, and supplies taken from there to launch an attack of New York City. Francis Pickmore defeated the Royal Navy in the Long Island Sound, and Hull attempted to trap the British soldiers and their leader, Gordon Drummond, in Manhattan. After several flanking maneuvers and skirmishes, Drummond was forced to retreat into New Jersey and later by ship to Canada. After taking New York City, Hull declared the Republic of New York was independent from Gre