FEINBERG/WHITMAN     LITERARY FILE   Prose "East Long Island" (May 21, 1859). Brooklyn Register.

from cont. 32-1
(oversz 4-15)7762KLYN REGISTER, MAY 21, 1859

Two Noble Projects.
  Among the subjects for some time past engaging
the attention of a large portion of the
people of Brooklyn are, the new Academy of
Music, and the proposed, and now considered
certain, gigantic sized church for Henry Ward
Beecher.  We believe, for the latter enterprise,
the money has been subscribed, and the ground
almost as good as selected and engaged.  If
carried out as it ought to be, the church will
probably prove one of the noblest looking edifices
in the land.  Architectural effect is not
what the home is to e put up for. In the main,
still it would seem to be a fit occasion to make
a structure of an Imposing style.  We hope it
will not be a literal copy of any of the received
orders of architecture, but something, if possible,
carrying out its own place of utility and beauty
--fit for assemblage for a religious congregation
in America, attracted by the most popular
pulpit speaker of the day, in a city which
already assumes a position, in many respects
among those of the first class. 
  We are indeed very glad they are going to
put up such an edifice, and to such a man.--
For really the whole thing concentrates around
Mr. Beecher. Take him away and there would
be no vitality in the project at all.  We think
well of the proposed building, as the probable
scene of the best and highest development of
Henry Ward Beecher.  No man of his structure
of mind and general nature, but a 
continually advancing, progressing.  His robust
frame, his great though good-natured personal
independence, and the irrepressible freedom
and reach of his thoughts, all combine, we think
to warrant us in our prophecy that in the vast
new church, when completed, will be witnessed
a splendid culmination of the talents of one of
the most magnetic and humanitarian of the
preachers of the American church.
  Of the Musical Institution--the Opera House--
we also entertain, for our part, the most favorable
auguries.  Current modern society of the 
highest class finds probably its largest and
best representing to this Brooklyn of ours. In
proportion to its size, of any city in the world,
and in that range of society there is really no
other vital amusement except the Italian Opera.
Imported hither from Europe, it is gradually
superceding all other forms of intellectual
pleasure in public.  Every year finds the Opera
more and more understood and sought after in
our large cities; and this tendency has, of late
years, been largely accelerated by the successive
advent among us of all the great musical
celebrities of the old world--at first received
by "the people" with plenty of curiosity, but
little appreciation, but gradually growing to
find plentiful audiences of real listeners.--
For the Italian Opera is a highly refined
and delicious intellectual treat, the taste for
which is being developed through experience
and cultivation.  The common ear is doubtless
at first confused and stunned by the performance 
of a grand opera,--and yet, if the musical
germ is resident there (as we know it is in
the common ear of America), this is the very 
kind of music to bring it fully forth--which no
other will. 
  From this point of view, the Opera, and estimating
the generally elevating and purifying,
influences of music upon the people, we hope
that the proposed Academy of Music will indeed
become, before another year, a fact accomplished
in our city. It has been objected,
we know, that only the leading cities of the
United States, New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
and Cincinnati, could carry through an
operatic [?]. Then how (it is asked), could
it be expected of Brooklyn to support an Opera!
We believe there are more people here to visit
steadily a good Opera, than in any of the cities
just named, except in New York.  And there
would no special or extra expense here; the
same company will perform here and in New
York,--giving operas here perhaps twice a
week during the winter.
  For the rational improvement and pleasure of
generation of the young men and young women
rapidly coming up, in such large numbers in
Brooklyn, we think both of the two enterprises
we have treated of are also to be commended 
and helped forward.
[For the Brooklyn Register]
The Progressive Pilgrims
Of Brooklyn (E.D.), Long Island-Extrocia from
  their journal of winsten, aboving some of their Experiments
  and Developments-- Disappointments, 
  Summer, Trials, Crimsen and Triumphs. Association
  founded A. D. 1851.
  The increasing interest manifested by the
public to know more of the history, transactions,
opinions, and controlling principles of this
remarkable Association, prompts us, with permission
of its Board of Directory, to give a short 
outline of its slur, pengrean, and prevent existence.
  As its name indicates, the Progressive Pilgrims
are thoughtful representatives from almost
every position in society, and formerly
held every shade of opinion, religious, metaphysical
and political, the most discordant, and
antagonistical imaginable: but, by the modifying
influence of benevolence, and a truthful
examination of their own moral structure, meet
now upon the common platform of harmony 
and usefulness.
  Starting from the grand and admitted principle
of Progromion as the grand vitalizing element, 
operating, penetrating and controlling 
everything cognizant to our senses, the gravely
discuss subject scientific, political and religious,
wit a profoundness, freedom, forbearance, 
and humility quite surprising to visitors.
Sitting in close proximity to each other at their 
meetings, may be seen the whilom infallible
Catholic, the venerable Jew, the patriarchal
bell-weather Mormon, the apostolic Episcopalian,
the melancholy Presbyterian, the water-worn
Baptist, the self-confidant Methodist, the
starch Quaker, and the bold and philosophic
skeptic, all calmly deliberating and giving 
opinions on subjects in which, if formerly agitated
in their hearing, would have thrown then into
paroxysms of rage and have produced the wildest
disorder. But as discord must yield to harmony
 where a determination to do good in the
 prevailing influence, thus, the Pilgrims, tired 
not with the fruitless warfare consequent on
 the maintenance [?] mere dogma and creeds,
 soon sought higher grounds of observation in 
order to get above, as it were, the [?]
 [?] of ignorance, and with it a more benign
 conception of creation free themselves of the 
oppressive bondage of every species of dogma 
thus and moudly authority. 6 BROOKLYN REGISTER MAY 21, 1859.
POETRY.
A Home Picture.
BY FISHER B. GAUH.
Ben Fisher had finished his hard day's work;
And he sat at his cottage door ;
His good wife, Kate, sat by his side.
And the moonlight danced on the floor--
The moonlight danced on the cottage floor,
Her beams were as clear and bright 
As when he and Kate, twelve years before,
Talked love in her mellow light. 

Ben Fisher had never a pipe of clay,
And never a drain drink he ;
So he loved at home with his wife to stay,
And they chatted right merrily;
Right merrily chatted they or the while
Light halve slept on her bed;
While a chubby porgie, with a runy smile,
On his father's knee found rest.

Ben told her how fast the potatoes grow,
And the corn in the lower geld,
And the wheat on the hill was grown to seed,
And promised a glorious yield
A glorious yield in the barren field,
And his orchard was doing fair ;
His sheep and his flock were in their prime
His farm all in good repair.

Kate said that her garden looked beautiful,
 Her fowls and her calves were fat ;
The the butter slat Tummy that morning churned
Would bay him a Buntay hat ;
That Jenny for ga a sew shirt had made,
And "twas done, too" by the rule ;
That Neldy the garden could slowly spade,
And Ann was abroad at school.

Ben slowly paused his wurst hand
Through his locks of grayish brown--
"tell you, Kate, what I think" said he,
"We're the happiest folks in town."
"I know," said she, "that we all work hard--
Work and health go together, I've found ;
For Shore's Mrs. bell does not work at all,
And she's sick the whole year round."

"They're worth their choosen-is, so people say,
But I ne'er saw them happy yet ;
'Twould not se me that would sake their guid;
And live in constant fret.
My humble bride has a light within
Mrs. Bell's gold could not buy ;
Six healthy children, a merry heart,
And a husband's love-lit eye."

A fancied a tear was in Ben's eye--
The moon shown brighter and clearer ;
I could not tell why the man should cry,
But he hitched up to Kate still nearer ;
He leaned his hand on her shoulder there,
and took her hand in his ;
I guess (thought I looked at the moon just then)
That he left on her lips a kiss.

SKETCH OF THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
After the commencement of hostilities in
1776, New York was selected by the British as
the principal point for their operations In consequence
 of its position as the center of the
Colonial Sea board and being readily accessible
from the sea. With this view, the first divison
of their army arrived at Staten Island in
the latter part of June that year; about the
middle of July a grand armament followed under
command of Lord Howe, consisting of six
ships of the line, thirty frigates, with smaller
armed vessels, and a great number of transports
and ships with orduance stores.
The Americans, anticipating the invasion of
Long Island, had fortified Brooklyn before the
arrival of the British at Staten Island. The
fortifications consisted of a line of embankment
from a ditch near the toll house of a bridge at
the Navy Yard, near what is now called
"bridge road" to Fort Green, then called Fort
Putman, and thence to Freek's mill pond,
where is now the end of the Navy Yard wall.
A strong work was thrown up on the lands of 
Johannie Deberodice and Van Brunt; a redoubt
was thrown up on Bermis' hill opposite
Browns mill, and another on the land of
John Johnson west of Fort Green. Pokesiesberg,
was fortified, and a fort build on the
lands of Mr. Hicks on Brooklyn Heights. In
the main channel a chenaux de frise was sunk
below New York. After landing on Staten
Island the British troops were allowed to recruit
their strength after the voyage and prepare for
the conflict. About the middle of August the
first landing was made by them at New
Uthrecht or Bath. Here they were joined by
many royalist, who acted the part of guides or
informers. About the same time, General Sir
Henry Clinton, arrived with the troops reconducted 
from the expedition to Charleston.--
Soon after Commodore Hotham appeared with
reinforcements so that in a short time the hostile
army numbered some twenty-four thousand
men consisting of English, Hessian, and Waldeckers.
Their plan of operations was first to get posession
of New York, which was deemed of the
most paramount importance. Then if General
Carleton, having passed the lakes of Canada,
could penetrate to the banks of the Hudson
and descend that river, at the same time that
General Howe could ascend it their junction
would have the immediate effect of interrupting
all communication between the provinces of
New England, on the left bank, and the middle
and southern provinces on the right, while
General How was seconded in his invasion of
New York by the twelve or thirteen thousand
men from Canada, under General Carleton--
the American troops being thus divided and
their guards surprised and pressed on all
sides, it was not doubted but that the British
would soon obtain a complete triumph. But
in execuiting this bold measure they had counted
too much on an admirable concurrance of a
great number of parts, and hand not taken into
account the difficulties of the winds and seasons.
Admiral Howe did not arrive until after
Clintons' expedition against Charleton had
totally failed and the army of Canada was interrupted
at the lakes.
To resist this impending storm, Congress had 
ordered the construction of rafts, gun-boats,
galleys and floating batteries for the defence of
the port of New York and the mouth of the
Hudson, They had also decreed that thirteen
thousand of the provincial militia should join
the army of General Washington, who, being
seasonably apprised of the danger of New York,
had made a movement in that quarter; they
also directed the organisation of a corps of
then thousand men to serve as a reserve in
central provinces. All the weakest points had
been carefully intrenched and furnished with
artillery. A strong detachment remained on
Long Island to prevent the English from landing
there if possible or to repulse them, should
they effect a debarkation. Nowithstanding
the efforts of Congress the army was poorly
equipped and many were invalid and hardly
able to sustain themselves in the struggles.
The American army, such as it was, occupied
positions that were best adopted to cover menaced
points. The corps wich had been stationed
on Long Island was commanded by Major
General Green, who, on account of sickness,
was afterwards succeeded by General Sullivad.
The main body of the army was encamped at
the Island of New York, which it appeared
was likely to receive the first attack of the
British.
Some minor movements were made by the
British and overtures of peace were made by
Lord Howe, but these being resisted he decided
to make an attack on Long Island, On
the twenty-second of August the British fleet
approached the narrows ; all the troops having
found an easy and secure landing place, between
the villages of Gravesend and New
Utrecht, where they debarked without meeting
with the least resistance on the part of the 
Americans. A great part of the American
army, under General Putnam, was encamped
at Brooklyn. He had strongly fortified the entrance
of it with boats and intrenchments,
his left wing resting on Wallabout bay and his
right served by the marsh contiguous to Gowanus
Cove. Behind him he had Governors
Island, and the arm of the sea which seperates
Long Island from the Island of New York,
which gave him direct communication with the
city, where the other part of the army was 
stationed under Washington himself.
The English having effected their landing,
marched rapidly forward. The two armies
were seperated by a chain of hills, covered
with woods, called the heights, which running
east to west, divided the island into two parts.
The American general wishing to arrest his
progress had carefully furnished the heights
with troops; so that the English could not 
force their way without difficulty and danger.
The English had carefully laid their plans and
were confident of success. The evening of the
twenty-sixth of August, General Clinton commanded
the vanguard, which consisted of light
infantry ; and Lord Cornwallis the rear guard,
followed by ten baggage and some regiments
of infantry, and heavy artillery ; this part of
the army put itself in motion orderly and silently,
and leaving Flatlands traversed the
country known now as New Lotta. Colonel
Miles did not perceive the approach of the
enemy so that two hour before daybreak the
English had arrived within half a mile of the
road leading to Jamaica upon the heights.--
Then Clinton halted and prepared for the attack.
General Sullivan, who commanded all
the troops in advance of the camp at Brooklyn
had no advice of what had passed in this quarter.
General Clinton learning from prisoners he
had captured that the road to Jamaica was not
guarded, avalled himself of the circumstance
and occupied it by a rapid movement. Without
loss of time he bore on his left toward
Bedford and seized as important defile, which
the American Generals had left unguarded.--
Lord Percy came up and the entire column
descended by Bedford into the plain which lay
between the hills and the camp of the Americans.
During this time, General Grant, in order
to attract the attention of the Americans
endeavored to disquiet him upon his right ;
accordingly, as if he intended to force the
defile which led to it, he put himself in motion
about midnight and attacked the militia of
New York and Pennsylvania which guarded it.
At first they gave ground by General Parsons
having arrived and occupied an eminence he
renewed the combat and maintained his position
until Lord Stirling came to his assistance
with fiften thousand men. The action now
became general and animated on both sides.
The Hessians had attacked the centre at the
break of day ; and the Americans, in command
of General Sullivan, fought valliantly. At the
same time the English ships, after making several
movements opened a brisk fire against a
battery established at Red Hook point, upon
the right flank of the Americans who were
combatting with General Grant. The Americans
defended themselves with great bravery,
ignorant that the victory was already in the
hands of the enemy. General Clinton detached
a small corps in order to interoept the
Americans and as soon as they appeared the
Americans sounded a retreat and retired towards
their camp bringing off their artillery.
They were intercepted by a band of Hessians,
when, after fighting for some time, the great
body gained the camp of General Putnam, and
others escaped through the woods.
The total loss of the Americans in this battle
was estimated as more than three thousand
men, in killed, wounded and prisoners. Almost
the entire regiment of Maryland, consisting of
young men of the best families in that province,
was cut to pieces. Six pieces of cannon
fell into the hands of the victors. The loss of
the British was very inconsiderable ; it did not
amount to four hundred men in killed, wounded
and prisoners.
The enemy encamped on the American lines ;
and on the sucording night broke ground within
six hundred yards of a redoubt on the left,
and having thrown up a breastwork on Wallabout
heights, on the Debevoise farm, commenced
firing on Fort Putnam--now called
Fort Green—and reconnotered the American
force.
The Americans were home prepared to receive
them ; and orders were [?] to the men to
reserve their [?] until they could see the eyes
of the enemy. A few of the British officers
recoonnetered their position, and one of them,
on coming too near was shot down by William
Van Cotte, of Bushwick. The same afternoon
Captain Rutgers also fell. Several other British
officers were killed, and the column, which
had thus incautiously advanced, fell back beyond
the reach of the American fire.
In this critical state of the American army on Long Island, having a