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Battle of Brooklyn, Recreated 232 Years Later
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 25, 2008
Modified Aug 25, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 25, 2008
Modified Aug 25, 2008
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The Battle of Brooklyn (also known as the Battle of Long Island) was the "largest of the American Revolution" and was fought after the Declaration of Independence on August 27, 1776. For the 232th anniversary, the battle was re-created at Green-Wood Cemetery (the Minerva Statue is on Battle HIll). WNBC reported, "Re-enactors in period costume demonstrated the use of Revolutionary War muskets and other weapons in Green-Wood's Meadow and the surrounding area near the main entrance."
Why is the Battle of Brooklyn not as famous as other events of the Revolution? Columbia University history professor Kenneth T. Jackson explained to the AP, "The reason is simple — we lost. Americans like happy stories. Disaster for the American side does not fit into the larger narrative of American history." Ah, yes: According to Fraunces Tavern Museum, the revolutionaries' ability to keep fighting help sap Britain of troops, money, and morale.
After the battle, George Washington's troops escaped from Brooklyn to Manhattan "in a flotilla of small boats...aided by darkness, fog and winds that kept Admiral Richard Howe's fleet from entering the East River"-- and when the British arrived the next day, they found Brooklyn Heights (where forts were built) empty.
Here's some more history about the battle from the Old Stone House. The Old Stone House is located in J.J. Byrne Park and, back in 1776, 400 soldiers from Maryland fought about 2,000 British soldiers around it. Though 256 soldiers died (the war's Revolutionary death total was around 1,000), The Old Stone House's site explains, "General George Washington and 8000 troops were heartened by the valor they witnessed, and it hardened their resolve to fight on."
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battle of brooklyn
brooklyn
george washington
green-wood cemetery
revolutionary war
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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