The Battle of Brooklyn

Grand Army Plaza - Prospect Park - Old Stone House

August 27, 1776

Some of the most beloved areas in Brooklyn — Prospect Park, Red Hook, Gowanus, Greenwood Cemetery — were the site of the first battle after American Independence was declared on July 4, 1776. Known as the Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn), it took place on the morning of August 27, 1776.

This tour will follow the path of the Americans, the British, and their Hessians mercenaries, who were pretty darn nasty.

We'll talk about how the British outsmarted American General Sullivan's troops in Prospect Park. They fought valiantly, but ultimately were surrounded and had to escape down what is today's 1st Street. They continued the battle at the Old Stone House near 4th Avenue and 4th Street with help from the “Maryland 400”, lead by Major Mordecai Gist and General William Alexander Lord Stirling. Ultimately, the Americans had to retreat across what was then Gowanus Creek to survive.  Sadly, many of them did not make it.  However, thanks to a lucky break in the weather, General Washington was able to muster his forces on Brooklyn Heights, and ultimately escape in the dead of night across the East River to the island of Manhattan. The American Army lived to fight another day!

We’ll visit Prospect Park and see the actual battlefield, and the memorials erected by patriotic Brooklynites in years gone by. As we walk down the “slope” in Park Slope, we’ll explore how the neighborhood preserved some relics of the battle. The brave men who died on that day are honored annually for their sacrifice.

Our discussion will include:

  • the commanders on both sides

  • their battle plans

  • the obnoxious taunt by a British General in Parliament to the Americans at the start of the war

  • how Washington’s planning failed him that morning

  • how the British strategy gained the upper hand

Along with many other topics related to the first large scale test of the American Armed Forces after Independence!

The tour takes about 2 hours - $50 per person, $40 for seniors (65+), $35 for young people (18-)