Tri-State 250: Battle of Brooklyn

In August 1776, British forces and the Continental Army clashed in the Battle of Brooklyn in what is now Park Slope, Brooklyn. Washington’s army was trying to escape across Gowanus Creek and marsh areas while British troops pressed forward. The Maryland Regiment was called to hold the line near the Old Stone House, where fighting was intense and casualties were heavy, with many killed or missing. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the regiment repeatedly charged to slow the British. By keeping the escape route open, the Americans were able to move behind Brooklyn Heights and later escape across the East River. The regiment continued fighting through the rest of the Revolutionary War and still exists today.

"In the Battle of Brooklyn, the largest of the Revolutionary War, George Washington's army was on the run, desperately trying to escape the British by crossing the Gowanus Creek and Marsh. Called in to hold the line and save the escape, the Maryland Regiment near the Old Stone House in Park Slope. The fighting was very fierce here around the house, and they took great casualties256 killed or missing."

"They were outgunned and outnumbered, but the regiment didn't back down. There's a story that George Washington is watching the battle happen from Brooklyn Heights through his spyglass and says, "Good God, what brave fellows. This day I must lose." The regiment was said to have mounted charge after charge, slowing the British, allowing Washington's army to continue its strategic retreat."

"Because the Marylanders were able to keep this escape route open, the American army was able to get behind the lines of Brooklyn Heights, and then subsequently escape across the East River. Members of the Maryland Regiment would go on to fight throughout the rest of the Revolutionary War, and it still exists today."

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