DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 19 



small parapets, thus preserving the historical association and 

 appearance of the place. The rock in the foundation of the 

 music stand was blasted here and proved to be of good quality. 

 Alton tone quarter of these woodland heights has been improved 

 for picnic purposes, with swings, tables, &c. These grounds are 

 capable of accommodating twenty thousand people. The shade 

 is deep, and the elevation being high, the spot is delightfully 

 cool. As this historic height will be Largely devoted to the 

 youth of Brooklyn, inasmuch as the battle of Long Island forms 

 a part of their historical studies, it may not be amiss to locate 

 some of its points of interest for the throngs of children that 

 shall visit it. This report is as likely to be read by the young as 

 the old in the household, for children love to hear and lead all 

 about those places which their little feet have visited. 



XJje Jjattle of Xong .Island 



was fought on the morning of August 27, 177G, on our 

 outer line of defence, which was the high, heavily wooded 

 ridge that passes through Greenwood and Prospect Park, to 

 Ridgewood. General Greene, who had planned the fortifi- 

 cations, was taken sick about the middle of August, and 

 General Sullivan was placed in command. The English, with 

 their hired Hessian hordes, landed 23,000 men, a larger 

 force than was expected. General Washington hurried over 

 reinforcements from New York, making an army of 5,000 men. 

 Three days before the battle he placed General Putnam in 

 charge. Under him General Stirling commanded the right 

 wing in Greenwood and General Sullivan the left in 

 Prospect Park. Sullivan was much incensed with his supersed- 

 ing, as he held the same rank as Putnam, or Greene, and hav- 

 ing had more time to study the situation was convinced how 

 the English would make the attack and advised accordingly. 

 His advice, however, was not taken. The army was flanked at 

 the extreme left, just as he predicted, by way of the Old 

 King's Highway pass, near the Evergreen Cemetery. The 

 larger part of the English army, under Howe and Cornwallis, 

 marched down to the centre of Brooklvn before the Americans 



