26 



tion is such as would add materially to the beauty of the in- 

 terior design, as well as to the exterior view. Any extension 

 of the area in that direction could readily be counterbalanced, 

 if desirable, by the retrocession of the northerly boundary from 

 "Warren to Baltic street. As this matter has been laid before 

 the Commissioners by a Committee representing a large num- 

 ber of property owners, I have deemed it proper to exhibit 

 the proposed change on the accompanying plan of the park. 



HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 



In addition to its interesting topographical features, these 

 grounds are consecrated by historic associations, which should 

 be a strong argument for preserving them in their original 

 character. In the very heart of the park there is a quiet dell, 

 which no one can enter without a feeling of pleasure, called 

 forth by its sylvan beauty. Tranquil as it now appears, this 

 spot was once the scene of a desperate and bloody conflict, 

 which, in its intrepid valor, may well rank among the most gal- 

 lant deeds enacted by the American army, during the struggle 

 for independence. Four hundred men, composing the Mary- 

 land and Delaware battalions, under General Sullivan, and 

 forming the center of the little army which had been stationed 

 on the heights to prevent the passage of the British upon Xew 

 York, defended this pass, under a galling fire of artillery, from 

 sunrise to 12 o'clock on the memorable 27th of August, 1770 ; 

 and never would have yielded their ground, though it should 

 have become a new Thermopylae, had they not been sur- 

 rounded and attacked in the rear by the enemy, who had 

 turned the left wing of the American position. 



" Hemmed in and entrapped between the British and Hes- 

 sians, and driven from one to the other, the Americans fought 

 bravely and desperately ; some were cut down and trampled 

 by the cavalry, others bayoneted without mercy by the Hes- 

 sians ; some rallied in groups, and made a brief stand with their 

 rifles, from rocks or behind trees. The whole pass was a scene 

 of carnage, resounding with the clash of arms, the tramp of 

 Lories, the volleying of fire-arms, and the cries of the combat- 

 ants. We give the words of one who mingled in the fight, and 

 whom we have heard speak with horror of the sanguinary fury 



