The Battle of Brooklyn was fought on August 27, 1776, and was the first major battle to take place after the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776.
After defeating the British in Boston in March of 1776, General George Washington moved his troops to southern end of Manhattan to defend the Port of New York. During this time, the British slowly reinforced their ships bringing in 32,000 troops. Knowing the challenges of holding the city while the British controlled the harbor’s entrance, Washington moved the majority of his troops to Manhattan, knowing this is where the British would strike first.
The engagement actually began on August 22 when approximately 10,000 British troops landed on the shores of Graveshead Bay but held back for five days before attacking the US defenses, which included the Maryland Regiment.
Some of the bloodiest hand-to-hand fighting happened near “Battle Pass” where Hessian mercenaries fought the patriots. It was rumored that they were paid by “body count.”
When the Americans retreated back towards Brooklyn Heights, the Maryland 400 were virtually surrounded by the British. These brave fighters counter charged buying time for their comrades to escape to Manhattan.
The majority of the Maryland regiment were killed or captured during this battle. General George Washington is quoted as saying “what brave men I must this day lose.”
The 1st Delaware Regiment was also under General Stirling’s command during the Battle.
The Old Stone House (Vechte-Cortelyou House) where the legendary bravery took place, was reconstructed in 1934 and still stands today.
The thick “divine fog” that masked the American’s retreat, arose at dawn and maintained its density until the last boats left Brooklyn.
Lord Stirling was captured during the Battle of Brooklyn, but returned in a prisoner exchange. He became one of General George Washington’s most trusted generals.
Mortecai Gist escaped and heroically served as a Brigadier General throughout the war. He stood with Washington at Yorktown to accept the British surrender. Gist was so consumed with the ideal of American freedom that he named his two sons, Independent and States.
To date, archaeologists have yet to find the bodies of the Maryland 400 under the streets of Brooklyn.