Battle of Brooklyn, 1776

by John J. Gallagher

Book Overview

In Brooklyn, New York, for a few tense hours in 1776, the fate of the entire United States hung by a thread. The Battle of Brooklyn (sometimes called "The Battle of Long Island") has since come to be... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 188511902X
• ISBN13: 9781885119025
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Revolution Nearly Lost in Brooklyn!

Having read this book as well as Barnet Schacter's on New York during the Revolution, both works I find are flawed in different ways. The likeable thing about Gallagher is that he manages to convey the story in less than half the time. The hard thing to realize about the battle of Brooklyn is that it really wasn't much of a battle. The author here makes some grandoise statements about a new age of citizen warfare being ushered in with the advent of this battle. If that is so then the complete defeat of Washy's army bodes ill for that development! Gallagher is on better ground when he provides a nice overall of tactics and warfare in the 18th century. He gives a good account of training and recruitment in both armies. One of the more interesting things he mentions is that due to the two-rank line used by both sides in the Revolutionary War, casualties from musketry and artillery tended to be light. This is an interesting point, and one not brought out by many historians of the period. In europe stronger lines of 3 and sometimes 4 ranks were employed, which provided greater strength, but also more density. Hence increased loss from fire. A point well worth considering when looking at the battles of the Revolution. Most historians miss this completely, or are not interested in it. Gallagher provides more of a military history in general on this subject, but he does waste a lot of time with preleminaries. More than half of the book is spent providing the standard background for the causes of the Revolution, etc. While certainly required for the general reader; when a book is as short as this one is it seems almost pointless. When we get down to the battle itself Gallagher gives us not much more than Schacter does. The British flank march completely compromises Washy's position, the outlying forces are swept away clear and simple. The confusion of command between Putnam and Sullivan no doubt made a bad situation worse. Washy's complete lack of strategic perspective shows up totally here. The defense of Brooklyn, much less Manhatten itself was a foregoon conclusion. Washy was mad to consider defending Brooklyn, much less manhatten in the first place. He committed his ill-trained army to an impossible task. That he did not lose completely was due more to how the British under Howe chose to wage their campaign. Most American authors try to put a bright light on what is essnetially a dark canvas. At Brooklyn the Americans ran. Period. A few units stood their ground, in particular the Marylanders, but no one else really did. The reason why American losses were not greater was because they did run. Some authors try to say that British losses in killed and wounded were greater than Americans at this battle. This is true partly because the British had to attack some strong positions that held for a time until pireced by the assault. British losses were often greater in this regard because Americans usually ran once the Briti

Brooklyn under siege, 1776

In spite of one or two glaring mistakes in John Gallagher's book, BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, 1776, the author has provided us with a glimpse into a little known confrontation that had an enormous impact on our nation. When most people think of the significant battles of the Revolutionary War, they think of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Yorktown, or Trenton. But New York City, and Brooklyn specifically was the scene for the first great battle. Unfortunately, as Mr. Gallagher sympathetically conveys, the battle was a disaster from beginning to end. Over a thousand of Washington's troops were injured, captured, or killed. It was only with the brave and selfless assistance of the Marylanders, that the American troops were able to evacuate. Mr. Gallagher, with the skill of suspense novelist as well as historian, describes Washington's daring escape from Brooklyn, at night, in an intense fog. I'm just scratching the surface here. This is a fascinating account of an undeservedly overlooked event of the American Revolution, and Mr. Gallagher deserves utmost credit for preserving its memory.

Great History of Both the Battle and (Really) Old Brooklyn

John Gallagher's narrative in this short book is very comprehensive while still being easy to read. It is interspersed with great little historical tidbits and teasers as well, and provides some great detail to the old 18th century villages that make up the City of Brooklyn today. The reader gets the impression that Gallagher fully enjoyed writing on The Battle of Brooklyn and conveys this sense of historical importance very well. In addition to the great narrative, there are many facts revealed about both the Revolutionary War and different parts of Brooklyn that both professional historians and casual history readers may not have known.A highly recommended, quick and insightful read.

Winning does not come easy

In most history books, it is usually called The Battle of Long Island. But since it took place in Brooklyn, it is more recently referred to as The Battle of Brooklyn...It took place in August of 1776. General Howe, the winner, versus General Washington, the loser (he won later)...The book relates that American counter attacks in the vicinity of Old Stone House created time for Washington to save the remainder of his army...The men involved here were primarily "The Maryland 400." and they are well remembered. Old Stone House was rebuilt and stands near 5th Ave. and 3rd St. An American Legion Post at 9th St. honors the area where most of them are believed to have been buried. They are also honored by a monument in Prospect Park.

The Battle that saved the rebellion

If you live in Brooklyn and are interested in the Revolutionary War, this book is a must.Who knew that such an important encounter took place in Brooklyn. The largest expeditionary force the world had ever witnessed in 1776, the largest battle of the war in terms of participants and casualties, an incredible encounter in Park Slope between a group of Maryland Militiamen and the British Army (they charged the British numerous times, in the face of overwhelming odds, in order to permit what was left of the American troops to retreat to Brooklyn Heights) and an evacuation/ retreat, "Dunkirk" style across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan by General Washington which saved the army and was widely admired by the British as an incredible feat done right under the British noses.