Your Guide to the Battle of Brooklyn's 239th Anniversary Events

Alonzo Chappel’s 1858 oil painting of the battle, via Wikipedia

Next week marks the 239th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn, and Brooklyn plans to celebrate — even if we lost the battle, we still won the war. The Old Stone House in Park Slope and Green-Wood Cemetery have a week full of commemorative and family-friendly events to honor Washington’s brave soldiers and celebrate Brooklyn.

Celebrations start this weekend, and the calendar of activities will continue throughout Brooklyn through August 30.

So…what actually happened in the battle?

The Battle of Brooklyn was fought on August 27, 1776, and is considered one of America’s greatest losses during our war for independence. The carnage all happened one summer night: The British, who had amassed a large number of troops on Staten Island, stealthily attacked George Washington and his Continental Army at their camp in Brooklyn. Washington was greatly outnumbered and realized the only way to save his army was to flee to Manhattan.

While the rest of the troops escaped Brooklyn Heights across the river, Washington sent 400 boys from Baltimore, known as the Maryland 400, on a suicide mission: to distract the British and buy the rest of the troops time. And so a great battle was fought at the Old Stone House. (The one standing in Park Slope today is a 1933 re-creation of the original.)

All 400 boys, the entire 1st Maryland Regiment, were killed — but the Continental Army was able to escape, and later won the war.

Photo via Green-Wood Cemetery

Below, a Brownstoner selection of battle week events, commemorating the largest battle of the Revolutionary War:

Saturday, August 22 through Sunday, August 30 — 85 Revolutionary War flags and information regarding their history will be on display at Green-Wood Cemetery, at 5th Avenue and 25th Street.

Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m. — Prison Ships Martyrs Memorial Ceremony. Put together by the Society of Old Brooklynites, American Merchant Marine Association, and Navy Armed Guard.

Saturday, August 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Historical Scavenger Battle! An interactive scavenger hunt at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, including Battle Ship Memory Match and a tea tea party.

Tuesday, August 25, 6 p.m., and Saturday, August 29, 4 p.m. — Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk, led by professor of archaeology William J. Parry.

Wednesday, August 26, 6 p.m. — Gowanus Dredgers Estuary Tour. Canoe along the notorious Gowanus Canal and learn about the Continental Army’s storied escape route to Manhattan.

Saturday, August 29, Noon to 2 p.m. — Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony, including salute and a reading of names.

Saturday, August 29, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Dramatic Reading of the Declaration of Independence read in the traditional 18th century fashion. As well, lectures on its significance and how it was written.

Sunday, August 30 — Day long Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at Green-Wood Cemetery. Includes a trolley tour of the cemetery, reenactment, parade to Battle Hill, old fashioned ice cream, and a living history program with weapon firing and “historic personalities.”

For more information and reservations, explore the Old Stone House and Green-Wood Cemetery online.

The original Old Stone House (known as the Vechte-Cortelyou House). Image by John L. Pierrepont via the Brooklyn Historical Society