Monday, August 21, 2006

Battle of Brooklyn, August 22, 1776

On August 22nd, 230 years ago, the infamous Battle of Brooklyn occurred. Washington’s soldiers were arrayed along the East River and camped in Red Hook and Flatbush. Rather than making a frontal assault from the water, the Brits surprised the Americans by circling to Gravesend and attacking from Jamaica with 15,000 troops (after stopping at a tavern in Bedford for drinks and directions). Over the next few days, the Americans were thoroughly defeated, although they made a valiant stand at Park Slope’s Stone House, on 3rd St and 5th Ave. With this, the British captured and held New York City for the remainder of the Revolutionary War.

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