The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-08-23

ShObHo WIZ OAilti AiiAt flOiAi
Maryland-was destined to enter the
field of conflict
In the sixteen months previous that
the conflict had ragged, number of re-
VERSES had been sustained by the pa
triots, and the hopes of many had been
shattered until they had entertained
the idea of either an early peace or a
reconciliation with the mother country.
Such was the preliminary state of af-
fairs leading up T. the opening of our
article.
After evacuatiug Boston in the
spring of l776, the British commander,
General Howe, returned t Halifax to
await reinforcements. Conceiving the
idea, however, Of SEEING New York, he
embarked for that port aud arrived of
Long Island towards the close of
June, l776 He was received with
great demonstrations Of joy by the
Tory portion of the inhabitants Of
Long Island, New York and New
Jersey, many of whom took the oath
of allegiance aud embodied themselves
into corps aud joined his forces.
In July Admiral Howe joined his
brother with IA fleet of 80 sail and re-
enforcement of 10000 men, swelling his
forces to 10000 while the Amer can
army numbered only 1900. aud
nearly one-hfth of these were sick aud
unfit for duty. This number wa, : ,pn
to be increased by the Maryland CON-
tlngeut.
On the 10Th of July, six companies
under Col. Smallwood himself, from
AuuAp lis, and three from Baltimore,
embarked for the head OF Elk river,
(now Elkton, Cecil County, Md,
whence they marched to New York
aud were incorporated into Lord Ster-
ling's brigade. They were well-ap-
pointed and organized, and composed
OF the flower Of Maryland's Sous, who
had already acquired the skill and pre-
cision Of trained soldiers Their scar
let aud buff uniforms and wel-poished
arms contrasted strangely with those
OF the New England troops, aud says
Graydon: "Thers was none by whom
an unofficer like appearance and de-
pertinent could DE tolerated less than
by a Marylander, who at this time
was distinguished by the most fashion,
able cut coat, the most macaroDi cock
ed hat and the hottest blood in the
Union" Arriving ut time when the
army was lamentably deficient in dis
cipline, they Immediately won the
confidence OF the COMMANDMENTS
chief, and from the moment OF their
arrival were thrown upon the ad-
vanced posts and disposed as covering
parties. The four Independent compa-
MES remaining in Maryland were or
dered to join Col. Smallwood, as was
also the flying camp, now rapidly or
ganlzing.
THE BATTLE
The British plan Of operations devel-
oped August 22nd, by the landing at
Gravesend Bay Of Howes first divs-
ion under Sir Henry Clinton, compos-
ing 5000 men and 40 guns, aud officer
ed by such famous leaders as Clinton,
the Earls Of CORVALLIS and Percy,
Generals Grant and ErskiDe These
troops pushed back Col. Hands regi-
ment To the hills to the north and eX-
ry through Utretch and Gravesend to
Flathead village, while CORVALLIS,
with DOnop's Hessians, six field guns
and two battaliOns of light infantry,
advanced to Flatbush, which com
manded the central road or pass
through the hills.
The design evidently was to carry
Greene's intrenched lines around
Brooklyn, and by possessing Brooklyn
Heights to force Washington to aban-
don New York or bring destruction
upon the city.
The American forces on the island
were under the temporary command
OF Brigadier-General John Sullivan
They were well distributed, but were
al best-save few regiments-but a
lot of raw recruits, ignorant Of military
duty and so Indifferent TO discipline
that Washington returned from an in
spection of the American lines on the
18th thoroughly discouraged He I'M
mediately ordered General Israel Put
man to take command on the island
with injunction to bring order out Of
confusion and To defend the works to
the utmost.
II was favorable to the Americans
that the enemy moved so slowly. The
landing OF additional troops from Sta
ten Island on the oath and 25th gave
Washington the opportunity to push
over Lord Sterling's brigade, the best
men in the service, and Heslet's fine
regiment of Delaware men. These
were assigned To the American right
at Gowanus. As the British plan be-
gan to unfold it was found that De-
Hester, with two brigades Of Hessians,
had taken the centre at Flatbush,
with General Grants division on the
Gowanus road, their left, thus facing
Lord Sterling's brigade. Lord Howe
In person, accompanied and directed
the British right movement, which
was assigned to Clinton. Sir Henry
moved with three divisions under
CORVALLIS, Percy and himself, to turn
the American left through the Bed
ford's Hill road These movements
on the night Of the 26th were followed
by the feint attacks Of Grant on the
left, and De Heister's in the centre at
daybreak on the 9th. Their assaults
were tn cover the main movement on
the right Corvallis corps tried to
pass through the hills by the Flatbush
road, but was brought to a stand by
Col. Hands riflemen guarding the APP
proach. Clinton then left DE Heister's
corps of Hessians on Hands front,
while he, with the main body, made q
night march august 26th) to the ia
maica road, which he learned from
Tory spies had been left but slightly
rIaI b.. bo t,niI;fta hn,,f ,xno ii.