20 REPORT OF THE 



knew that their flank had been turned. Then took place the 

 worst rout and massacre of the war. One half of the Ameri- 

 can army was lost in those killed and taken prisoners. His- 

 tory records many brave deeds that were performed prior to 

 and during the battle. There are also in existence minute 

 records showing the part which the old settlers of this portion 

 of Long Island took in gaining the independence of our 

 country. A minority were brave and patriotic and did their 

 duty, but the majority were tories of the worst type and did 

 all that was in their power to prevent the country from having 

 its freedom. 



The troops that took part on our side were from Pennsyl- 

 vania, Maryland, Delaware and Connecticut. The Long Island 

 militia, which were thought to have been at the Bedford Pass, 

 were at Jamaica Plains herding cattle and knew nothing of the 

 battle. These Long Island tories are said to have formed 

 themselves into a regiment in the few days during which the 

 English had landed, and fought under the English General 

 Grant against General Stirling at Greenwood Heights. 



The British advance was expected by either the Gowanus 

 road on the shore, or the old Flatbush road through Valley 

 Grove in the Park, or both. General Sullivan's force command- 

 ing the pass at Valley Grove consisted of three regiments and a 

 small battery, stationed as follows : Colonel Hands, Penn- 

 sylvania Rifle Battalion, on the right of the pass, covering the 

 crest of Sullivan Heights. On the left, looking toward Flat- 

 bush, close to the East Drive, is a small round top hill, now 

 covered with a clump of thrifty pine trees. This is the site of 

 the two gun battery redoubt; its position enfilading the old 

 Flatbush Road in both directions, as well as the Porte Road 

 to Gowanus, which branched oft' at that juncture. From this 

 point on the ridge crossing Flatbush avenue, to the East Side 

 lands, lay the Connecticut Regiment commanded by Colonel 

 Parsons. Beyond this, to the Clove Road, was stationed 

 Colonel Miles' Pennsylvania Regiment. 



On August 22d the Hessian division of the English forces, 

 under command of General DeHeister, 8,000 strong, occupied 



