The Battle of Long Island went down in history as a major defeat for the fledgling American army and George Washington. The fighting in late August 1776 focused around the Gowanus Heights in Brooklyn and saw the patriots outflanked on their left, routed by Hessians in the center, and hunted down across the marshy Gowanus Creek.
Washington did manage to evacuate most of his troops but the fight for survival over the coming crucial months left Long Island a bitter memory best left forgotten.
But in this 250th anniversary year of the American Revolution, the Long Island History Project podcast remembers this pivotal battle with guide Dan Davis, Senior Education Associate at the American Battlefield Trust.
Although a definite military defeat, it produced heroes like William Alexander (Lord Stirling) and the men of the 1st Maryland Regiment.
And the battle is a great opportunity to discuss the meaning of these sites in the history of America and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
You can find the episode here.
The Long Island History Project is an independent podcast featuring stories and interviews with people passionate about Long Island history. It is hosted by academic librarian Chris Kretz.
Learn more about the Battle of Long Island.
Illustrations, from above: ;and Battle of Long Island map by Oneam licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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