Brooklyn

A city and seaport of the United States, at the extremity of Long Island, opposite New York City. In 1776 this part of Long Island was one of the principal localities of the war of independence. Here on August 27, 1776, was fought the first great battle of the Revolutionary war after the Declaration of Independence. The American army occupied Manhattan, Governor’s, and Long Islands, a large force being placed by Washington under the command of Gen. Greene in a fortified camp extending from Wall about Bay to Gowanus Cove. Unfortunately, Gen. Greene was taken sick, and four days before the battle the command was given to Gen. Putnam. On August 22 the British forces under Lord Howe landed and encamped at the western point of Long Island. About midnight on the 26th the British attacked the American left, and about daybreak on the 27th the He ians under Von Heister attacked the centre, and were met bravely by the American forces; but an important pa through the hills on their right, called the Jamaica Pa , being left unguarded, a select body of English troops poured through, followed by Percy and Cornwall is with the main army, and, attacking them from the flank and rear, drove the patriots in confusion with heavy lo . On the night of the 29th, Washington succeeded, under cover of a dense fog, in withdrawing all his troops from Brooklyn to New York, and finding it impo ible to defend that city, he removed his forces to the heights of Harlem. During the civil war Brooklyn was not surpa ed by any city in her zeal for the cause of the Union.