DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 21 



Flatbush. On the night of the 23d Colonel Hand made 

 a sortie from the picnic grounds through the wood, where the 

 music stand now is, to the west side of Flatbush. Here 

 lie attacked Colonel Donop's yagers while they were asleep 

 and killed a number of them. On the night of the 26th the 

 attack was repeated, being the fourth skirmish. A number of 

 houses were burned, among which was the Leffert Lefferts' 

 residence. On the memorable morning of August 27th, 

 DeHeister advanced upon the lines, but did not press the fight 

 until the guns of Cornwallis rang out in the rear. They then 

 rushed upon Sullivan's command like so many demons and 

 gave no quarter. Sullivan's position was nearly surrounded. 

 He had to contend with four times his numbers in the front, 

 and six times as many in the rear. The result of the battle 

 was a stampede and a massacre. Colonel Hands' men, seeing 

 that no quarter was given by Colonel Donop's yagers, sold their 

 lives dearly- The brave colonel succeeded in cutting his way 

 through unhurt, and was given the post of honor by Washing- 

 ton on the night of the 29th, when the evacuation was made 

 from the island. The brave Colonel Parsons, when there was 

 no hope left, succeeded in concealing himself in a dense morass 

 that was close at hand, and thus escaped. This foss has since 

 been dug out and now forms part of the lake in the (]^^\- 

 paddock. General Sullivan was taken prisoner, but soon after 

 exchanged. Colonel Miles was also captured. He docs not 

 leave an enviable record for bravery in this engagement. 



In constructing the park at Battle Pass the bones of some 

 of Connecticut's brave sons, who died in the defense of this 

 redoubt, were found, together with some cannon balls. 



A case of great bra-very is recorded of John Callender of 

 Massachusetts, who voluntarily took command of the battery 

 when the captain and lieutenant were killed. General Wash- 

 ington personally complimented him for bravery. On the 

 opposite side of the road, toward Valley Grove, stood the 

 monumental Dongan charter oak, which was felled across the 

 road on the morning of the battle. 



