by strong redoubts. The armies were separated by a range of hills, covered with a thick wood, which intersects the country from west to east, terminating on the east near Jamaica. Through these hills there were three roads; one near the Narrows, a second on the Flatbush road, and a third on the Bedford road; and these were the only passes from the south side of the hills to the American lines, excepting a road which leads to Jamaica, round the easterly end of the hills. General Putnam, agreeably to the instructions of General Washington, had detached a considerable part of his men to occupy the woody hills and passes: but in the performance of this service, there appears to have been a deficiency, either of skill or vigilance. When the whole British army was landed, the Hessians, under General De Heister, composed the centre at Flatbush: Major-General Grant commanded the left wing, which extended to the coast; and the principal army, under the command of General Clinton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, turned short to the right, and approached the opposite coast at Flatland. The position of the Americans having been reconnoitred, Sir William Howe, from the intelligence given him, determined to attempt to turn their left flank. The right wing of his army, consisting of a strong advanced corps, commanded by General Clinton, and supported by the brigades under Lord Percy, began, at nine o'clock at night, on the 26th of August, to move from Flatland; and, passing through the New Lots, arrived on the road that crosses the hills from Bedford to Jamaica. Having taken a patrol, they seized the pass without alarming the Americans. At half after eight in the morning, the British troops, having passed the heights and reached Bedford, began an attack on the left of the American army. In the centre, Gen. De Heister, soon after daylight, had begun to cannonade the troops, which occupied the direct road to Brooklyn, and which were commanded by General Sullivan in person. As soon as the firing towards Bedford was neard, De Heister advanced, and attacked the centre of the Americans, who, after a warm engagement, were routed, and driven into the woods. The firing towards Bedford giving them the alarming notice, that the British. had turned their left flank, and were getting completely in their rear; they endeavoured to escape to the camp. The sudden rout of this party, enabled De Heister to detach a part of his force against those who were engaged near Bedford. There, also, the Americans were broken and driven into the woods; and the front of the British column, led by General Clinton, continuing to move forward, intercepted and engaged those whom De Heister had routed, and drove them back into the woods. They again met the Hessians, who drove them back on the British. Thus alternately chased and intercepted, some forced their way through the enemy to the lines of Brooklyn; several saved themselves in the coverts of the woods; but a great part of the detachment were killed or taken. The left column, led by General Grant, advancing from the Narrows along the coast, to divert the attention of the Americans from the principal attack on the right, had, about midnight, fallen in with Lord Sterling's advanced guard, stationed at a strong pass, and compelled them to relinquish it. As they were slowly retiring, they were met on the summit of the hills, about break of day, by Lord Sterling, who had been directed, with the two nearest regiments, to meet the British on the road leading from the Narrows. Lord Sterling having posted his men advantageously, a furious cannonade commenced on both sides, which continued several hours. The firing towards Brooklyn, where the fugitives were pursued by the British, giving notice to Lord Sterling that the enemy had gained his rear, he instantly gave orders to retreat across a creek, near the Yellow Mills. The more effectually to secure the retreat of the main body of the detachment, he determined to attack, in person, a British corps under Lord Cornwallis, stationed at a house somewhat above the place where he proposed crossing the creek. With about four hundred men, drawn out of Smallwood's regiment for that purpose, he made a very spirited attack, and brought up this small corps several times to the charge, with confident expectations of dis lodging Lord Cornwallis from his post; but the force in his front increasing, and General Grant now advancing on his rear, he was compelled to surrender himself and his brave men prisoners of war. This bold attempt, however, gave an opportunity to a large part of the detachment to cross the creek, and effect an escape.* 66 After this severe defeat, Gen. Washington, with the advice of a council of officers, ordered a retreat from Long Island. On the night of the 29th, this was effected with a success that was deemed a merciful interposition of heaven. Within a single night, an army of 9,000 men, with their artillery, tents, and baggage, was transported to New York, over a difficult ferry, a mile in width, while the British army was encamped within 600 yards, and did not discover the retreat till too late to annoy he Americans." 64. Death of Captain Hale. After General Washington, by his retreat, had left the British in complete possession of Long Island, and not knowing what would be their future operations, he applied to General Knowlton, commander of a regiment of light infantry, to devise some means for gaining necessary information of the design of the British in their future movements. Captain Hale nobly offered himself for this hazardous and important service. His amiable, pious, intelligent, and patriotic character, and the sacrifice of his life in the manner in which he made the sacrifice, entitle him to a distinguished rank among the first patriots of the revolution. The particulars of this tragical event, sanctioned by General Hull, who knew them at the time, Holmes' Annals. The loss of the British and Hessians is stated by American historians at about 450; Stedman says, "it did not exceed 300 killed and wounded." The loss of the Americans was not admitted by General Washington to exceed 1000 men: "but in this estimate, he could only have included the regular troops." Gen. Howe states the prisoners to have been 1097; among whom were Major-General Sullivan, and Brigadiers Lord Sterling and Woodhull. are related by Miss H. Adams, in her History of New England. 46 The retreat of Gen. Washington left the British in complete possession of Long Island. What would be their future operations remained uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, their strength, and future movements, was of high importance. For this purpose, General Washington applied to Colonel Knowlton, who commanded a regiment of light infantry, which formed the van of the American army, and desired him to adopt some mode of gaining the necessary information. Col. Knowlton communicated this request to Nathan Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a captain in his regiment. This young officer, animated by a sense of duty, and considering that an opportunity presented itself by which he might be useful to his country, at once offered himself a volunteer for this hazardous service. He passed in disguise to Long Island, examined every part of the British army, and obtained the best possible information respecting their situation and future operations. "In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, carried before Sir William Howe, and the proof of his object was so clear, that he frankly acknowledged who he was, and what were his views. "Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the provost marshal to execute him the next morning. 66 The order was accordingly executed in the most unfeeling manner, and by as great a savage as ever disgraced humanity. A clergyman, whose attendance he desired, was refused him; a Bible, for a moment's devotion, was not procured, though he requested it. Letters, which, on the morning of his execution, he wrote to his mother and other friends, were destroyed; and this very extraordinary reason was given by the provost marshal, that the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army, who could die with so much firmness.' 66 Unknown to all around him, without a single friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as America could boast |