History of the Town of Flatbush

the point of attack. These were N******* W********* J**** W******, and J******* R*****. It has been said in defence of the conduct of these persons, that they were forced to act in this capacity, and that their lives were at stake. This may all be, but their agency on this occasion was most disastrous to the American cause. The British had as we have intimated, drafts of the country. They marched to Flatlands village, then took the road leading to Flatlands neck, and came out at Shoemakers Bridge. Here N. W. their chief guide at this place, was expressly cautioned, that if he led them wrong he would be shot. He appears to have conducted them from this spot across the fields to what is now called Howard's. They arrived two hours before day, on the morning of the 27th, within half a mile of the Jamaica road. Colonel Miles, of Pennsylvania, who had charge of the right wing of the American army this night, performed his service with but little exactness, and did not perceive the approach of the enemy. They had marched several miles, and were now in fact two miles in the rear of his guard, without his being knowing to the fact. Nor had General Sullivan, who had charge of all the troops in advance of the camp at Brooklyn, any advice of what was passing in this quarter. One of his patrols, on horseback, had been fallen by General Clinton during the night, and made prisoners. But though disappointed in not hearing from this patrol, General Sullivan neglected to send out fresh scouts, probably expecting that the English would direct their principal efforts against the right wing, under Lord Sterling, as that was nearest to their head quarters. Thus he suffered the American army to be surprised, and almost before the battle commenced, the fate of the day determined. General Clinton having halted for a few hours, and refreshed his troops, and learning from the prisoners whom he took, that the road to Jamaica was not guarded, hastened to avail himself of the circumstance, and occupied it by a rapid movement. Without loss of time, he immediately bore to his left, towards Bedford, and seized an important defile, which the Americans had left unguarded. From this moment the success of the day was decided in favor of the English. Lord Percy came up with his corps, and the entire column descended by the village of Bedford, into the more level ground, which lay between the hills and the camp of the Americans.

In the mean time, General Grant, in order to divert the Americans from the events which took place upon the route through Flatlands, and the attack to be made on their left wing, endeavored to disquiet them on his right. Accordingly, about midnight, as if he meant to force his way through, he put himself in motion and attacked the militia of New-York and Pennsylvania, who were stationed along the Gowanus road. They at first gave way, but General Parsons, who had command of them, having arrived, and having occupied an eminence, renewed the combat, and maintained his position until Brigadier General Lord Stirling came to his assistance with fifteen hundred men. The action was extremely animated, and victory favored neither the one side nor the other. But it was all in vain, as in fact, the choice of the British army were already in the rear of the American troops on the left. As soon as firing was heard from the right wing of the English, under General Clinton, who, as we have stated, had now gained possession of Bedford, which was not long after the break of day, on the 27th, General De Heister with his Hessian troops, moved forward with the