XHTML photos on Flickr

Here, on August 27, 1776, hundreds of brave men gave their lives to ensure the birth of our nation. Right here in Brooklyn, less than two months after the Declaration of Independence, the army of the newly created United State fought the British for the first time in what is called the Battle of Brooklyn (also known as the Battle of Long Island).

This exhibit tells the story of the Battle of Brooklyn. It took place between August 22 and August 29, 1776 and was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War. More American Patriots lost their lives in it than in any other battle of the revolution. It was on this site that the heaviest fighting took place. The Americans had been beaten and were retreating accross the nearby Gowanus Creek. Their escape was cut off by British cannons and 2,000 soldiers stationed in and around this Dutch colonial stone house. In and act of extreme valor and sacrifice, 400 soldiers from Maryland, under the command of General Lord Stirling (William Alexander), repeatedly attacked the British stronghold. The cost was high. Most of the Maryland Brigade were killed or wounded; but by sacrificing their lives, they allowed their fellow Patriots time to escape. The courage of these Marylanders prompted General George Washington to exclaim in anguish -- "Good God! What brave fellows I must this day lose!"

Washington was able to evacuate his troops across the East River to safety. Without the sacrifice of the Maryland Brigade, his army might have been crushed, and with it, the dream of independence.

3am --- At Howard's Tavern, near unguarded Jamaica Pass, innkeeper Howard is forced to show British main force the road to Brooklyn. British take pass and capture four American mounted sentries before they can sound alarm.

5am --- On hill near Gowanus Bay, 5,000 British troops and Torries [under Major-General Grant] clash with 1,300 American soldiers [under Stirling]. 500 American soldiers rush to their aid.

9am --- British main force reaches Bedford Village and signals other British units that 17,000 soldiers are in a position to attack the Americans from behind.

About 2,000 of their main column [under Lt. Gen. Cornwallis] move up Gowanus Road. Another 15,000 [under Gen. Clinton] push toward Flatbush Pass.

9:30am --- At Bedford pass, Miles' troops discover the British main column and try to fight through to the American forts, or join action at Flatbush Pass.

10am --- British take Flatbush Pass with frontal attack by Hessian and Scots [under de Heister] and rear attack by the main British force [under Clinton]. American troops are surrounded. Some surrender, some are massacred, some escape. Sullivan is captured.

10:30am --- At Gowanus Bay, the near 2,000 Americans [under Stirling] are almost surrounded. Stirling skillfully retreats back up Shore Road.

11am --- The Freeke's Mill Bridge -- the escape route to American forts -- is burned. Fleeing American men must swim Gowanus Creek at hight tide. British [under Cornwallis] occupy Old Stone House at Gowanus, firing cannon on Americans in the creek. Many Americans are shot or drowned.

11:30am --- At the Old Stone House about 400 of the Maryland Brigade [commanded by Stirling], facing five time their number bravely and fiercely assault the house six times to draw British fire and to secure the retreat of their comrades. They briefly drive the British from the house, but, decimated, they cannot withstand British reinforcements.

12 noon --- With close to three-quarters dead, the "Maryland 400" cannot go on. Stirling surrenders. Major Gist and nine Marylanders make it through the creek to American inner lines.

By Day's End: Between 1,400 and 3,000 Americans are dead, wounded, captured or missing. Many of these are lost in the forest trying to find their way to safety.

British begin the siege of American defenses.

===============================

My related photos: Old Stone House; OTHER SIGHTS on the way to and from selected OHNY events.

See other OHNY photos HERE.

Le Coffre du Capitaine by Hilde Heyvaert