FEINBERG/WHITMAN Box 35 Folder 38 LITERARY FILE Prose "Brooklyniana: Battle of Brooklyn" (outdated) (DCN3) A. MS. drafts[*1079*] Brooklyniana: Battle of Brooklyn and Early Brooklyn History: prose. A. MS. (20p. 22 x 12 cm.) [*[From p. 9 on, account changes to 1664.]*] Written in ink, with some of corrections and one page in pencil, on the verse of blue Williamsburgh Tax Collector's forms, 1,590 words : (1) The Battle of Brooklyn [seem] was evidently conducted [on the] by the Continental Army, in the most unsystematic and indefinite manner.--Greene's lamentable and inopportune illness, [and] the [ignorance greenness] of a sudden and awkward coming together for first time large part of the soldiery, the fact of [bei] warring depressing consciousness against the king's authority--these, and doubtless other reasons, hung heavy upon the [continental] people's arms.--It was the saddest battle ever fought in the United States.- [It] Or instead of a battle, it was probably rather it was a melange of skirmishes, in which / (2) the continental troops every where got the worst.-- The presence of Washington, I am sure was all that saved his battle from being a [total], mixed rout, slaughter, and arrest, of the [whole away force] force. [*over*]3 The more I have thought it over, the more I am convinced that the few days, perhaps the few hours, following this battle, [were hold the were the held the decis formed the most serious and held hold] held the most momentous [or] and weighty consequence of any in the life of Washington and in the destinies of These States.--All [hung in] was in jeopardy--or rather indeed all now was over--all indeed seemed fated; the revolution [was to should be] then must end, amounting to nothing, after all.-- / 3 1/2 (4) --The king! was it not against the king they [had] stood embattled?-- [What else] Now [remained but] to strike hands with fate, [and] save their lives and make the best terms [wit] that yet remained.-- Now Let the days an nights have their course.--[It was] Rebellion! it had bee a wild and [fev] ugly dream, and [now] the reality held them and there was no escape but submission and the old loyal oath again.-- So it was thought.--was doubtless the prevailing thought But not so [Washington] the Leader determined.--His great hands were to build [better] farther [than even] than he knew. / (5) 5 4 [But now] For Then arose the cautiousness, combination, and (more)[*1081*] Battle of Brooklyn: 2 undaunted mettle of [the] Washington.--In dismay, in the toils, in the hours of rain and darkness He [it surely was that] planned the [masterly] retreat to Manhattan Island [and] --he saved the American cause.--Alert, Sleepness, stern, impassive, he [wrought it] decided upon this step, took the practical means for [accomplishing] it, and [was with] his own vigilant eyes overlooked the final performance of it.--He stood at the ferry landing ( now Fulton ferry, Brooklyn side, ) [re] sending orders, receiving / 5 (6) intelligence, encouraging the despondent.--[and it was the] What grander [hours] minute were [they] there ever in the life of George Washington than they?--He stood at the landing all that critical night-- [and when daylight] he was still there at day=break, and more than an hour afterward.--He was one of the last to leave Brooklyn shore.--It is [at] this occurrence and time I have [decided] had represented in the frontispiece of [this] the present book. / (7) This was one of the most important points n Washington's life--I think it was the most important of any.--His suspense and excitement were intense.--His [army men] pride quelled by the prestige (over)[*1082*] prestige of the royal force.--[his General] --Of the two Generals he relied upon one prostrated by a ghastly sickness, the other taken prisoner-- [his] some of his choicest [companies] regiments slaughtered--in the officers' tents distracted counsels--among the men profound dismay and hourly defections--the king's artillery on one side and the deep and swift waters of the sea the East river on the other side--the heavens weeping and / (8) [dark- black above him--what must have [rel] passed through the brain of Washington! these What two days and nights they must have been to him!] the [imminent] momentary danger of [attack] assault on [the]- his lines--the [consideration] thought of defeat and imprisonment, perhaps a British court martial and a prompt halter-- such marked the situation of Washington, [at this fearful period.]-- that black and [memora] memorable night these terrible ? thirty or forty hours / (9) [As For] To the people of Brooklyn, on and after the capitulation in 1664, and the [Governor] rule of the new Governor, Richard Nicolls, the change [was did not affect] brought no harm to their affairs or prosperity.--The terms of agreement with Stuyvesant (more) [*1083*] had been in the highest degree favorable to the residents; every thing was retained them, and indeed several new rights applied to them. [Gov. Stuyvesant remained / (10) The freeholders of Brooklyn] this town chose [Brooklyn] their [of] own officers, civil and military.-- In 1667Nichols returned to England, and Col. Francis Lovelace [being] arrived with [the] a commission [from] as [the Royal] as Governor from the Duke of York.--This year, and through '68, '69, [and] '70, and '71 the people of Long Island grew actively discontented at finding themselves, with the rest of the colony, without share in [the] legislation and without the representative government they had expected after the cessation of the Dutch rule. / (11) Many of the towns of [Long] of the Island, in answer to [an] orders for their quota to the fund for [repairing] rebuilding [the] a fort at New York, sent papers declaring taxation without representation to be tyranny, --These papers Lovelace ordered burnt by the [h] common hangman.-- In 1672-'3 another change, for a short time, occurred.-- Charles 2d [had] having [e] begun a war with Holland, a fleet of Dutch ships, sailed up the / (12) Narrows and re=took New York (over)[*1084*] without opposition; this was on the 30th of July, 1673.--The town was now named with [another] another name, New Orange, and Anthony Colve was commissioned governor of the province.--From Brooklyn, the magistrates forthwith appeared, with those of the other towns, and [engaged] gave in the allegiance of the people.-- [to the] But all this was an affair of a few months only, / (13) [Peace] peace being concluded in Europe in February '74 each party restoring [usu] to the other what had been reft from it.-- To [cor] prevent any dispute, the Duke of York, [the] although previous grantee, [pre] had a new patent for the province from the King, his brother; and now sent out as Governor Sir Edmund Andros-- [who summarily changed the name of the] to whom Clove resigned his power,-on the 31st of October '74. / (14) Andros, like his predecessors, was besiegned with entreaties especially from Long Island, to establish a legislature, but refused them, under the orders of the Duke of York.-- In 1683 he was superseded in the Governorship by a [Govern] Col. Thomas Dongan.-- [a Roman-Catholic] This man at last brought over instructions to [convene a] institute and convene a legislature, elected by the people of the province.--This important concession was vey gratifying to the (15) residents [of the province][*1084*] Battle of Brooklyn: 4 here. They immediately proceeded to take advantage of it, and in October 1683 is signalized as the date of the meeting of the first Representative Assembly, [specially] belonging to New York [met in this w this p the land] --and the definite commencement here of popular government.--This assembly consisted of 17 members, (it afterwards varied, but never exceeded 27 members, down to the Revolutionary War.) / (16) This grand step [secured] was marked by a Charter of Liberties, passed by the Assembly, [declaring] including the following among its provisions--That the Legislative Power {should] shall forever reside in the Governor, Council, and People, met in general Assembly / -- That every freeman [should] shall vote for representatives, without restraint--That no freeman [should] shall suffer but by judgment of his peers--That all trials shall be by a jury of twelve persons--That no tax shall be assessed on any pretence whatever, but by consent of / (17) the Assembly--That no seaman or soldier shall be quartered on the inhabitants against their will--That no martial law shall exist--and That no person professing faith in God, by Jesus Christ, shall at any time be any ways questioned for any difference of opinion.--These were great assertions (over){*1086*] assertions, and the people were satisfied.-- / (18) In 168[6]5 occurred the accession of James 2d to the English throne--and he was the special patentee, or owner of New York.-- The [arbitra] people anticipated [great] favorable results here; but James was an arbitrary king, and the English were divided against him.--Dongan [g] continued [Governor] in power till '88 Sir Edmund (19) Andros returned as Royal Governor of New England and New / York; and by him Col. Francis Nicholson was appointed, [Lieut in 1688,] in Dongan's place.--The [people residents] people here were disgruntled, [and] by the events in England.-- [In New England] From Massachusetts also they heard that the [people] colonists had risen [and] against Andros.--The [same] home contest spread here; Some were for [the]-King James--others for William of Orange.--Much alarm was expressed [in] concerning the introduction of the Roman Catholic Religion. In June '89 a tumultuous assemblage of the people of (20) New York [chose] put Jacob Leisler / at their head, took possession of the fort at New York--they were [adverse] friendly to William of Orange,--and adverse to the Roman Catholics.--A Committee of Safety was now formed [from] by the people, Leisler waw put in command of the Fort; Nicholson's power was inoperative, and he (more)[*1087*] Battle of Brooklyn: 5 soon after departed [f] in an English ship.--[The A] From London, the news of the flight of James was received, and the proclamation [was] of [received England] William and Mary as King and Queen of England.--The Battle of Brooklyn [seem] was evidently conducted [??? them] by the continental army, in a most unsystematic and indefinite manner. Green's lamentable and inopportune illness, [and] the [ignorance greenness] of a sudden and awkward comes together for the first time large part of the soldiery, Depress' consciousness the fact of warring against the king's authority - these, and doubtless other reasons, hung heavy upon the people's arms. - It was the saddest battle ever fought in The United States. - Or instead of a battle, it was probably rather it was a melange of skirmishes, in which 2 the continental troops every where got the worst. - The presence of Washington I am sure was all that saved this battle from being a mixed rout, slaughter, and arrest, of the [whole armys] entire [force] force. 3 The more I have thought it over the more I am convinced that the few days, perhaps the few hours, following the battle, [were,] [hold the[ [were the] [held the decis] [formed] [the most serious, and] [held] [hold] held the most momentous and weighty consequences of any in the life of Washington an in the destinies of These States - All [hung in] was in jeopardy -- all thus indeed seemed fated ; the revolution must [should] [was to be] end, amounting to nothing, after all. PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M., till 2 P. M. M............................................................................................. To City of Williamsburgh, Dr. To City and County Tax for the year 185 on the following Lot Ward Assessed No. Location Valuation City County Default. Total. 3 1/2 - The king ! was it not against the king they [had] stood embattled? - [What else remained but] now to strike hands with fate, [and] save their lives and make the best terms [not] that yet remained. Now Let the days and nights have their course. -- [It was} Rebellion! it had been a world and [few] ugly dream and [was] the reality held them and there was no escape but submission and the old loyal oath again. -- So it was was doubtless the prevailing thought thought But not so [Washington] the Leader determined. -- His great hands were to build [better] farther [Not even] than he knew. -- PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M.. till 2 P. M. M .................................................................................................................. CO City of Williamsburg, Dr, To City and Country Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot WABD. ASSESSED NO. Location. Valuation. City. C:UNIY. DEFAULT. TOTAL.4 [But now] For then wrote the cautiousness, combination, and undaunted mettle of [the] Washington. He In dismay, in the toils in the hours of rain and darkness [it] [surely was that] planned the [masterly] retreat to Manhattan Island [and] saved the American cause. Alert Sleepless, stern, impassive, he [wrought it] decided upon this step, too the practical means for [accomplishing] it, and [was with] his own vigilant eyes overlooked the final performance of it. -- He stood at the ferry landing (now Fulton ferry, Brooklyn side.) [re] sending orders, receivingPlease preserve the bill. (Bankable money only receive. Collector’s Office, City Hall, corner of South 2nd and Fourth Streets. (Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9A. M. Till 2 P.M.) To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward Assessed No. Location. Valuation, City. County. Default. Total.5 intelligence, encouraging the despondent. [and ?] [was the] What grander [hours] minutes were [they] there, even in the life of George Washington than they? - He stood at the landing all that critical night - [and when] [daylight] he was still there at day-break, and more than an hour afterword. - He was one of the last to leave the Brooklyn shore. - It is [at] this occurrence and time I have had [decided] represented in the frontispiece of [this] the present bookPLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of SOuth 2d and Fourth Streets Hours for REceiving Taxes from 9 A. M., till 2 P. M. M ............................................................................................... Co City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot WARD. ASSESEED NO. LOCATION. VALUATION. CiTY. C: UNIY. DEFAULT. TOTAL. This was one of the most important points in Washington's life -- I think it was the most important of any. -- His suspense and excitement were intense. -- His [army ???] pride quelled by the prestige of they royal force -- of the two Generals -- [his General] he relied upon one prostrated by a ghastly sickness, the other taken prisoner -- [his] some of his choicest [companies] regigments slaughtered -- in the officers' tents distracted counsels -- among the men profound dismay and hourly defections -- the king's artillery on one side and the deep and swift waters of the sea the East River on the other side -- the heavens weeping and PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M., till 2 P. M. M ------------------ To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward | Assessed No. | Location | Valuation | City | County | Default | Total2 [[dark] black above him - what must have [roll] passed through the brain of Washington! [There] What two days and nights thy must have been to him!] The [imminent] momentary danger of [attack] assault on [the] his lines -- the [counderation] thought of defeat and imprisonment, perhaps a British court martial and a prompt halter -- such marked the situation of Washington. [at this fearful period] that black and memory memorable might? These terrible thirty - or forty hours PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.[The For] To the people of Brooklyn, on and after the capitulation in 1664, and the [governor] rule of the new Governor, Richard Nicolls, the change [was did] [not affect] brought not harm to their affairs or prosperity. -- The terms of agreement with Stuyvesant had been in the highest degree favorable to the residents; every thing was retained to them, and indeed several new rights applied to them. [Gov. Stuyvesant remain]PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.) (BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M.. till 2 P. M. To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Taxes for the Year 185 on the following Lot WARD. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.The freedom of this town chose Brooklyn their [of] own officer, civil and military. -- In 1667 Nicholls returned to England, and Col. Francis Lovelace [being] arrived with a commission as [for the] Royal Governor from the Duke of York. -- This year and through '68, '69, and '70, and '71; The people of Long Island grew actively discontented at fining themselves with the rest of the colony; without share in the legislation and without the representative government they had expected after the cessation of the Dutch rule. --PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.Many of the towns of the island in answer to orders for their quota to the fund for rebuilding a fort at New York sent papers declaring taxation without representation to be tyranny. These papers Lovelace ordered burnt by the common hangman. In 1672 - another change, for a short time, occurred. Charles [?] [?] began a war with Holland, a fleet of Dutch ships, sailed up thePLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.Narrows and re - took New York without opposition ; this was on the 30th of July, 1673. -- The town was now named with [another] another name, New Orange, and Authory Colve was commissioned governor of the province. -- From Brooklyn, the magistrates forthwith appeared, with those of the other towns, and [engaged] gave in the allegraise of the people. -- [to the] But all this was an affair of a few months vuls, ++ PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.peace [Peace] being concluded in Europe in February '74, each party restoring [use] to the other what had been reft from it. -- To [can] prevent any dispute, the Duke of York, [the] although previous grantee, [pre] had a new patent for the promise from the king, his brother ; and now sent out as Governor Sir Edmund Audros. [who summarily changed the name of the] to whom Clove resigned his power, on the 31st of October '74.PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.Audros, like his predecessors, was besieged with entreating especially from Long Island, to establish a legislature; but reused them, under the orders of the Duke of York. In 1683 he was supersidded in the Governorship by [a Govern] Col. Thomas Dougan. -- [a Roman Catholic ;] This man at last brought over instructions to [convene a] institute and convene a legislature, elected by the people of the province. -- This important concession was very gratifying to thePLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.resident here [of the province]. They immediately proceeded to take advantage of it, and [in] October 1683 is signalised as the date of the meeting of the first Representative Assembly, belong to New York [ met in their this of the land] and the definite commencement here of popular government. -- This assembly consisted of 17 members, (it afterwards varied, but never exceeded 27 members, down to the Revolutionary War.)PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total. This grand step [assured] was marked by a Charter of Liberties, passed by the Assembly, [decl??] including the following among its provisions -- That the Legislative Power [should] shall forever reside in the Governor, Council, and People not in general Assembly - That every freeman [should] shall vote for representatives, without restraint -- That no freeman [should] shall suffer but by judgement of his peers -- That all trials shall be by a jury of twelve persons -- That no tax shall be assessed on any pretence whatever, but by consent ofPLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of fouth 2d and Fourth Streets Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M, till 2 P. M M ................................................................................................ To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following lot WARD Amended No. Location. VALUATION. CITY. COUNTY. DEFAULT. TOTAL.the Assembly - That no seaman or soldier shall be quartered on the inhabitants against their will - That no martial law shall exist - and That no person professing faith in God, by Jesus Christ, shall at any time be any ways questioned for any difference of opinion. - These were great assertions, and the people were satisfied. - PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A. M.. till 2 P. M. M................................................................................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To city and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot WARD. AMENDED No. LOCATION. VALUATION. CITY. COUNTY. DEFAULT. TOTAL. In 168[6]5 occurred the accession of James 2d to the English throne -- and he was the special patentee, or owner of New York. -- The [arbabra] people anticipated [great] favorable results here; but James was an arbitrary King, and the English were divided against him. -- During [g] continued [lgovernor] in power till in '88 Sir Edmund Andros returned as Royal Governor of New England and NewPLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.York ; and by him Col. Francis Nicholson was appointed, [Lead] [in 1688] in Doughan's place. -- The [residents people] people here were disgruntled, [and] by the events in England. -- From Massachusetts [In New England] also they heard that they [people] colonists had risen [and] the [some] home contest spread here : against Audros. -- Some were for [the] King James -- others for William of Orange. -- Much alarm was expressed coupt[??] the introduction of [the] Roman Catholic Religion In June '90 a tumulting assemblage of the people of New York [choose] put Jacob Leisler PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL.] [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South 2d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M ............................................... To City of Williamsburgh, Dr, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot Ward. Assessed No. Location. Valuation. City. County. Default. Total.at their head, took possession of the fort at New York - they were [adverse] friendly to William of Orange, and adverse to the Roman Catholics. A Committee of Safety was now formed [from] by the people. Leisler was put in command of the fort; Nicholson's power was inoperative, and he soon after departed in an English ship. [The of] From London the news of the flight of James was received, and the proclamation [was] of [received England] William and Mary as King and Queen of England.PLEASE PRESERVE THIS BILL [BANKABLE MONEY ONLY RECEIVED. Collector's Office, City Hall, corner of South [?]d and Fourth Streets. Hours for Receiving Taxes from 9 A.M., till 2 P.M. M...……………………………. To City of Williamsburgh, Or, To City and County Tax for the Year 185 on the following Lot WARD. ASSESSED NO. LOCATION. VALUATION. CITY. COUMIN. DEFAULT. TOTAL. 1118 A.MS. Battle of Brooklyn: prose. (22P. 16 X 13 cm.) Written in ink, with a few of the corrections in pencil, on pink sheets trimmed from larger pieces, 1794 words: [1] Battle of Brooklyn [Lord-Howe] The British Commander in Chief in his official dis-patch to his own government states the American loss at 3300 kill-ed, drowned, wounded, and prisoners.-- date of the Battle, August 27th [18] 1776. American Retreat [of] from Brooklyn during the night of the 29th and morning of the 30th It seems to have been [almost] very generally thought that this Battle made certain the defeat of [the] American [revolt] independence and the speedy triumph of the English rule/ [2] Washington eame had come to New York in the spring and appoint-ed Greene to ep superintend the fortifications [of Brooklyn. -- Aee-]1119 Greene had made himself acquainted with every pass and defile leading from the neighborhood into Brooklyn; but a few days before the battle, he was attacked by a severe bilious fever. Sullivan took his place till August 23d, when Putnam took command within the lines. Stirling and Sullivan appear to have acted under him. [3] The American force consisted of 17,000 men disposed in N at Brooklyn, and on Governor’s Island and New York the these men was the best stuff in the world, but they were raw, non=compact, and poorly armed, and deficient of drill, obedience, experience which tried officers, and of that power which is only acquired by having gained victories.— They comprised parts from the East, and the South, as much as New York and Long Island; in the Battle that followed everyone of the United Colonies was represented — every one shared in the deafest, gloom and slaughter.-- / [4] American Army for the Defense of New York Aug 3--12,000 of whom These were distributed on Governor's, York & L. Islands. 5,000 Americans & 10,000 Royalists were engaged in the Battle.1120 Battle of Brooklyn: 2 [5]The hills and shores of Brooklyn were now to be the scene of the contest for the possession of New York, of which important position the Americans yet retained control, and had fortified sufficiently to make it hazardous for a British/ fleet to approach.— The army for its defense, was encamped at Brooklyn, where they lay during the hot weeks of mid summer, waiting the attack.— the King’s army.—/ [6](The [American] lines, fortifications, redoubts, &. We’re down such as could be made by the shovel to last and the axe, with banks of earth, felled trees, [b-e]- brush, stone, rude mason=Work, &c,—; they were [7]middling=well supplied with guns.—) From their north=east end at the Wallabout, the lines extended to the hills ( now Washington Park) which from a their command’s position/ form a main reliance for offence and defense,— thence across to Bergen Hill and Red Hook at Red Hook was a battery.— All the region1121 of Prospect Hill, (over which the wide Flatbush avenue now passes) was then covered with woods;--in it and elswhere, around Bedford, stations of outposts and sentinels were placed, to give the timely notice of the approach of the Royal forces (take in *) / [8] Toward the middle of August, and additional fleet of British ships of the line, transports, gun=boats, tenders, &c entered the Narrows and anchored in the expanse west of Gravesend Bay.-- The Royal army now amounted to 22,000 men, with 5000 more daily expected. / [9] Aug. 22, 15000 of the men were landed at Bath just east, Fort Hamilton; Howe established his quarters at New Utrecht.--On the 23d and 24th there was some little skirmishing between advanced parties of the British and the American outposts at Flatbush and Bedford. On the 26th reinforcements of Continentals were sent over to Brooklyn from New York: the skirmishing continued, a few being killed or wounded [10] on both sides.-- / The same day, Gen. De Heister landed from the fleet with a large force of Hessians, and took position at [more]1122 Battle of Brooklyn: 3 Flatbush, with Cornwallis with another force at Flatlands.-- How, in council, on the pending plan of action determined to - pass around by the Jamaica Road, and descend upon the Americans between Bedford and the lines.--The cover this move, A feint of a brisk attack from the ships was to be made on a fort of the Brooklynites [11] at Red Hook--also / Gen. Grant was to advance by the shore road, by Gowanus.-- That evening and during the night, the main body of the British, under loyalist guides, moved around by Flatlands and to toward part of Brooklyn on the Jamiaca Road, (now Fulton avenue three to four miles from the Ferry.) This passage they completed so as to arrive at the Brooklyn end two hours before day--the / [12] American patroles being all seized, and no alarm given. At dawn on the 27th therefore, they had made their a detour successful, and gained the position required according to Howe's plan, which was working well.--Gen. Grant accomplished his duty with equal success. DeHeister also was cammenced firing at daybreak on the American station toward [13} / Flatbrush--for the American, secure in the [over]1123 (roughness of the) the woods, the roughness of the ground, and in their outposts, (did not dream of the Bri) had (advanced) a large part of their force advanced in the neighborhood of Prospect Hill and toward Red Hook.—Stirling has command of an American Brigade here.— The Flatbush station being quickly stormed and taken—(and while) (and the) De Heister’s (Royalists troops) troops hastened toward Brooklyn; with (equal) the like quickness the main body of the British slating [14]from/ the Jamaica road down toward the west, and Gen. Grant hastening along. Gowan’s Road, a large portion of the Brooklynites about 9 o’clock in the forenoon were suddenly confounded to find themselves cut off , as they essayed to retreat to the lines.--A (frightful) Some of the best of the Continental ranks were now immolated, although they fought with unsurpassed courage. Toward Gowan’s the (slaughter) loss of (Brooklynites) our forces were great—they were driven to an fro, their rank broken, the officers and men separated, [15]many slaughter, by the bayonet, / many (driven) chased into the water and shot or drowned, many driven into the mud of morass and low lands there, and suffocated.--Stirling, the American commander, in desperation, ordered the main part of his brigade to (retreat) get back to the lines under other officers, as well as they, (will) while he turned around with a forlorn hope and (turned) engaged Cornwallis; but in a little while overpowering num- [more]1124 Battle of Brooklyn: 4 bers forced [th] him to surrender.--This was a blood slaughter and [was] caused great anguish to Washington.-- / [The It did] What Americans who were left, gaining their lines, the British who had pursued them close, especially on the east, halted, [and] under the orders of Howe, [were] was not willing to risk any assault--t through there is not the least doubt that had [they done-so] the victors attacked the [Continentals] American works in the dismay of [these] hours that hour, they could have exterminated the hauled off, encamped in close / neighborhood, and did nothing [Ameriican] Continental army and taken Washington, prisoner.--But They hauled off, encamped in close / neighborhood, and did nothing for two days, on account of the weather, which [was] became drizzling [and] rainy and [ele] dark.-- / [This is about] Such [is[ was the main [part] [thread] event of the Battle of Brooklyn, although there was several separate and minor conflicts, of less decisive importance, elsewhere upon the field.-- [It was A bloody and The General was present], Washington watched [on viewing] the [conflict] whole [was] from the eminence now Washington Park, but did not [assup] assume the command.--He had / This [battle] disaster was [an[ irrecular [skirmish] series of skirmishes, with [prob] a great want [of] plan and [decision] on the side of the [Brooklynites] Americal but it taught Washington to [depend]1125 [mere on] avoid pitched battles,[it taught] it initiated him [in the necessity of] in his great game of circumvention.-- [It was in fact] [an] His reflections must have been desponding. The day, [comprised] with the previous night, had exhibited such [an irregular] a series of inadvertences and mishaps on the part of the [Americans] Continentals, with [great such] great want of plan and reliance.-- / [20] The appearance of the [ranks] men was in may respects ludicrous to a soldierly eye.-Their arms [also] were primitive and [poor] sometimes useless.--[It was] Indeed The personnel and [armament] accouterment of the colonists were [through the wa] a standing joke [with] among the handsome, well-[dressed] fed, well[equipped] equipt, British officers, and among their colonial adherents, [in the both men and women] of both sexes,[xx] through the whole war.-- / [21] B. of B: With few exceptions, The property inhabitants of Brooklyn and of the rest of Long Island, [gave in their] signed a loyal address to the Royalist General and through him to the King and Parliament-- and Brooklyn, now for nearly eight [wa] years following was in the possession, and under the power of the Royal [Army] Officers and laws. [22] But [these] the blunders of the Battle of Brooklyn must not be taken as indicative, only exceptional..--never did the earth [bear] [more]1126 Battle of Brooklyn: 5 raise [nobler] more capable samples of men than some [of] that had now [arose] arisen and [were] fought in the Battle. [of} [of-Brooklyn,-among the rest]. They were simple, homely of [l] excellent physique, tem- perate with the [bearing] manners of American freemen. [Nature-is-arise- tooraey].--They were not men of [war] the strong hand only, but men of [peace] the clear brain and thrift and far vision.--{They did] They and the like of them it was who did in eight or ten years the work of as many centuries.--They step forth from the traditions of the past, a new race, [of men,] founders of new principles, new laws.-Battle of Brooklyn [Lord Howe] The British Commander in Chief in his official dispatch to his own government states the American loss at 3300 killed, drowned, wounded, and prisoners.- ------- date of the Battle, August 27th [18] 1776. American Retreat [of] from Brooklyn during the night of the 29th and morning of 30th -------- it seems to have been [almost] very generally thought that this Battle made certain the defeat of [the] American [revolt] independence and the speedy triumph of the English rule Washington [came] had come to New York in the spring and appointed Greene to [of] super-intend the fortifications [of] [Brooklyn].- [Accordingly,] Greene had made himself acquainted with every pass and defile leading [to] from the neighborhood into [the town] Brooklyn; but [unfortunately] a few days before the battle, he was attacked [was taken down with] [was sickened] by a severe bilious fever.- Sullivan took his place till August 23d, when Putnam took command within the lines. Stirling and Sullivan appear to have acted under him.-¶ The [Army had some of] American force consisted of 17,000 men disposed in at Brooklyn, and on Governor's Island and New York. [In the] Among these men was the best stuff in the world, but [was] they were raw, non-compact, and poorly armed, and [was] deficient [in] of drill obedience, experience with tried officers, and [a] of that power which is only acquired by having gained victories. -- [Still It was composed of] They comprised parts from the East [W] and the South as [well] much as New York and Long Island; in the Battle that followed, every one of the United Colonies was represented -- every one shared in [with the res] the defeat, gloom and slaughter. -- American Army [at Brooklyn] for the Defence of New York Aug 3 12,000 of whom These were distributed on Governor's York, & L. Islands [The recovery of New York to the King's power was to] be made] 5,000 Americans & 10,000 Royalists were engaged in the battle. The hills [of] and shores of Brooklyn were now to be the scene of the contest for [the British reco] the possession of New York, [up] of which important position the Americans yet [had] retained control, and had fortified sufficiently to make it hazardous for a Britishfleet to approach. — The army for its defence[, however] was encamped at Brooklyn, where they lay during the [middle of the] hot weeks of midsummer, waiting the [app arrival] [arrival and] attack of [the King's troops.—] the King's army. — The American position [was ? with] science. *tr down to last ¶ (The [American] lines, fortifications redoubts, &c . were [mostly rude] such as could be [rudely] made [with] by the shovel and the axe, with [earth] banks of earth, felled trees, [&] brush, stones, rude mason=work, &c,— ; [They] they were [de deficient in tolera] middling=well supplied with guns.) From Their [lines extended] north=east end [of the] from was] at the Wallabout, the [thence] lines extended to the hills (now Washington Park,) which from [of] their commanding positionformed a main reliance [of] for offence and defence, — thence across [to] to [Prospect Hill] [Gowanus] Bergen Hill at Red Hook was a battery, and Red Hook. — (All the region of Prospect Hill, (over which the wide Flatbush Avenue now passes) was then covered with woods; — in [this] it and elsewhere around Bedford, stations of outposts and sentinels were placed; to [sound the] give timely notice of [the] [the] approach of [the] Royal forces (take in *) [Battle — Aug. 27, 1776] [A] Toward the middle of August, an additional fleet of British ships of the line, transports, gun = boats, tenders, &c. [had] [had] entered the Narrows and anchored [for some days] in the expanse [between] west of Gravesend Bay. — [Coney Island and the Jersey Shore. — ? On board the fleet] The Royal army now amounted to [was a force of] 22,000 men, with 5000 more daily expected. was a force of] Aug. 22, 15,000 [men] [of the Royal force] of the men were landed at Bath ([?] east, Fort Hamilton); Howe established his quarters at New Utrecht. -- On the 23rd and 24th there was some little skirmishing between [par] advanced parties of the British and the American outposts at [Flatf] Flatbush and Bedford. On the 26th reinforcements of Continentals were sent over to Brooklyn from New York; the skirmishing continued, [and sever] a few being killed or wounded on both sides. The same day, Gen. De Heister landed from the [Br] fleet with a large force of Hessians, and took position at Flatbush, with Cornwallis [with] with another force at Flatlands. -- Howe, [determined] in council [on the morrow's plan of action] on the pending plan of action determined to pass [advance through over the] around by the Jamaica Road preparatory to the morrow's battle and descend upon the Americans between Bedford and their lines. -- To cover this move A feint of a brisk attack from the ships was to be made on a fort of the Brooklynites [had] at Red Hook -- alsoGen. Grant was to advance by the shore road, by Gowanus. [According] [B] That evening, and during the night, [accordingly the] [a] [accordingly,] the main body of the British, under loyalist guides, moved around by Flatlands and so [to the Ja] toward [that] the part of Brooklyn [by] on the Jamaica Road, (now [the] Fulton avenue three to four [f] miles from the Ferry). This passage they completed so as to arrive at the Brooklyn end two hours before day -- the American patroles being all seized, and no alarm given. At dawn on the 27th [of August 1776]. Therefore, they [had halted] [had secured] had made their detour successfully and [had then planted themselves in] an advantageous position,] gained the position required according to Howe's plan, which was working well. -- Gen. Grant accomplished his duty with equal success. -- [The] De Heister also [commenced a cannonade was] commenced firing at daybreak on the American station [at] toward [Flatfa Flatfa]Flatbush -- for the Americans, secure in the [hills roughness of the] the woods, the roughness of the ground, and in their outposts, [did not dream of the Bri] had [advanced] a large part of their force advanced in the neighborhood of Prospect Hill and toward Red Hook. -- Stirling had command of an American Brigade here. -- The Flatbush station [was] being quickly stormed and taken -- [and while the troops] De Heister's [Royalist] troops] hastened toward Brooklyn; while with [equal] the like quickness the main body of the British starting from the Jamaica road down toward the west, and Gen. Grant hastening along the Gowanus Road, a large portion of the Brooklynites about 9 o'clock in the forenoon were suddenly confounded to find themselves cut off, as the essayed to retreat to the lines. -- [A frightful] Some of the best of the Continental ranks were now immolated, although they fought with unsurpassed courage. Toward Gowanus the [slaughter] loss of [Brooklynites] our forces was great. -- They were driven to and fro, their ranks broken, the officers and men separated, many slaughtered by the bayonet.many [driven] chased into the water and shot or drowned, many driven into the mud of the morasses and low [grounds] lands there, and suffocated. -- Stirling, the American commander, in desperation, ordered the main part of his brigade to [retreat] get back to the lines, under other officers, as well as they could, [will] while he turned round with a forlorn hope and [?] engaged Cornwallis; but in a little while overpowering numbers forced [the] him to surrender. This was a bloody slaughter and [?] caused great anguish to Washington. [The It did] What Americans, who were left gaining their lines, the British who had pursued them close, especially on the east, halted, [and] under the orders of Howe, [were] who was not willing to risk an assault -- though there is not the least doubt that [had they done so ] the victors attacked the [Continental] American works in the dismay of [those] that hour hours, they could have exterminated the [American] Continental army and taken Washington prisoner. But They hauled off, encamped in closeneighborhood, and did nothing for two days, on account of the weather, which [was] became drizzly, [and] rainy and [cho] dark. -- [This is about] Such [is] was the main [part] [thread] event of the Battle of Brooklyn, although there were several separate and minor conflicts, of less decisive importance elsewhere upon the field;-- [It was a bloody] [and] [The General was] Washington watched [present on] [viewing the] the whole [conflict] from the eminence now Washington Park, but did not [assup] assume the command. -- He hadThis [battle] disaster [was an irregular [skirmish] series of skirmishes, with [prob] a great want of plan and decision on the side of the [Brooklynites] Americans; but it] taught Washington to [depend no] avoid [more on] pitched battles, -- [it taught] and initiated him in [in the necessity of] his great game of circumvention. [It was in fact an] His reflections must have been desponding. -- The day, [comprised an irregular] with the previous night, had exhibited such a series of inadvertences and mishaps on the part of the [Americans] Continentals, with [such great] great want of plan and reliance. B. of B: The inhabitants of Brooklyn [With few exceptions, property] and of the rest of Long Island, [gave in their] signed a loyal address to the Royalist General and through him to the King and Parliament -- and Brooklyn, now for nearly eight [wa] years following was in the possession and under the power of the Royal [Army] officers and laws. --The appearance of the [ranks] men was in many respects ludicrous to a soldier's eye.- Their arms [also] were primitive and [poor] sometimes useless. --. [It was] Indeed the personnel and [armaments] accoutrements of the colonists were thought [the wa] a standing joke [with] among the handsome, well-[dressed]fed, well-[equipped]equipt, British officers, and among their colonial adherents, [in the] [both men and women] of both sexes, through the whole war. -- But the [these] blunders of the Battle of Brooklyn must not be taken as indicative, only exceptional.- Never did the earth [bear] raise more capable samples of men than fought in that Battle. Some [of] that had now [arisen] best, They were simple, homely, of excellent physique, temperate, with the [bearing] manners of American freemen. They were not men of [war] only but of the clear brain and far vision of American freemen. [They and the like of them] it was who did in eight or ten years the work of as many centuries. They stept forth from the traditions of the past, a new race, [of men], founders of new principles, new laws.