Battle of Brooklyn 1776 by John J. Gallagher

Author:John J. Gallagher [JOHN J. GALLAGHER]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hachette Books
Published: 2012-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

During the four days preceding the battle, the fears of Brooklynites grew in anticipation of barbarity on the part of the foreigners—meaning Hessians and New Englanders alike. Among the Dutch there was a genuine dislike and distrust for New Englanders—particularly those from Connecticut. Originally, the colony of New Netherlands had included all of Long Island and extended as far east as the Connecticut River. Sharp dealings by the New Englanders had whittled this territory down, in the Dutch view, even before geopolitics had taken a hand. A common tale of advancing British parties and American patrols was of finding food on the tables of abandoned Dutch farmhouses, each side suspecting it to be poisoned by the other.

Because Washington had a better idea of Howe’s intentions after his visit to Brooklyn on the 23rd, on the 24th and 25th he moved more troops across the East River. Convinced on his inspection on the 26th that Howe’s big push would indeed take place in Brooklyn, he then brought over as many reinforcements as he could spare from Manhattan.

During these days, smoke and flames appeared in the sky, but it was not known whether this was part of the Continental Congress’ scorched earth policy, or some unfathomable action on the part of the British invaders. And, to a previously verdant and pastoral scene, the sounds of military preparations, the drums and martial music, and the sight of the white tents of thousands of invaders tinged the atmosphere. The collected combatants outnumbered the residents of Brooklyn by about fifteen to one.

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