The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-08-10

the 18th and 10Th gave Washington an
opportunity to push over Lord Sterling
brigade. the best at that time in the ser
vice. and Heslet' fine regiment of Della
ware men. These were assigned to the
American right at Gi0wanus. As the
British plan began to unfold il was found
that De Heister, with two brisades Of Hes
slams. had taken the centre AT Flatbush,
with General Grant division on the
GowanuS road. their left thus facing Lord
Sterling 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 Bedford Hills
road. These movements on the night OF
the 18th were followed by feint attacks of
/ Grant on the left and De Hester in the
/ center at daybreak on the 9th. These
/ assaults were to cover the main movements
ON the right Cornwallis's ; corps tried to
uass through the hills by the Flatbush
rnad. but were brought to stand by Col.
| Hand : rifemen, guarding that approach.
/ Clinton then left De Hester corps OF
\ Hessians ou Hand front, while he. with
his main body made night march Aug.
26) to the Jamaica road, which he learned
from Tory Spies had been left but slightly
guarded bv the militia, without guards or
patrol Over this road he passed around
Sulliyans position in the Bedford Hills,
and early on the morning Of the 9th was
between Sullivan and the American in-
trenched lines.
The battle commenced by DE Hester
assailing the Flatbush pass, which Col.
Hand still guarded and defended. Gen
eral Sullivan at the first sound of the guns
at dawn rode over to Hand position, when
he was astounded by the roar Of artillery
ON his flank and rear. fastening back he
learned 10 his disnlay that the enemy in
powerful force were between his advance
and the intrenched lines He Immediately
ordered an advance for the purpose Of fight
Ing his way through, but his men were
met by terrible iire from the British and
driven back. De Heister, having in the
meanwhile forced the Flatbush pass, now
came up with his whole corps, and, swarm
ing over the hills. bore down with savage
wells on Sullivan disordered regiments.
Then followed terrible struggle. The
Hessians used the bayonet on the regiments
Of Miles and Williams, aud slaughtered
the Americans in cold bleed. Cornwallis
pressed them from below, and thus the
whole American left was literally between
two 6res-outnumbered outgeneraled, nd
den down By dragons with sabers, riddled
by solid infantry FIRE, cut and torn by hight
batteries that commanded every avenue Of
escape. An through that hoe August
morning the conflict ragged \ few cut
their way through TO the American in
,renchments. but the bulk of sullivan !
forces were flying fugitives in the hills, ol
were killed wounded or prisoners, Sullivan
himself among the latter
DESPERATE CONFLICT.
The ight WAS now transferred to the
American right, where it ragged with in
creased fury. ard was as equally disastrous
TO the patriots. Grant had full 5000
men. while the force Of Lord Sterling was
only about ,. 600 consisting Of Maryland,
Delaware and Connecticut regiments, with
Atlee rife corps. aud Kirklines Penn
sylyania musketeers a an advance guard.
Grant struck Atlee early on the morn
ing of the 9th. and droye him in upon
the Gowanus road, where Sterling had
formed his line of battle, extending from
t;Owauus Bay to Flatbush road, his center
being on what Is now knewn as Battle
Hill. in Greenwood Cemetery. OF this
center. composed Of Maryland and Della
ware men. he took command in person,
planting on the Hill two Field pieces, whose
weIl-seryed 6re, backed BY Kiehline rife
men. soon arrested Grant apparent adj
vance. For six hours very sharp line FIR
ing followed. aud the feint was 80 firmly
pressed that Putnam believed Howe de
sign was to force the line at that point.
This view Of matters was confirmed by
Grants reception of two additional regi-
ments At 10 o clock from the feet, where
upon Sterling ordered forward all his re
serves To defend Battle Hin 10 the last
extremity before retiring behind Gowauus
Creek
/ Now was TO ensue the most desperate
eonfic, Of that hot and bloody day. With
the arrival of reinfurcements To Grant came
also the signal from Howe, far to the east
(about | , IN. two guns fired IN quick
succession Ii meant Grant advance
I n ILL.,. ...s.b H. IIaas;.ns slraadx had
engaged Sullivan. Grant Immediately
dashed forward, and the fighting became
fierce and bloody. Atlee's men out on
the skirmish line were all (about 235)
killed or made prisoners. Then the Con
necticut regiment holding the Gowanus
road, was literally overwhelmed. At the
same time the Hessians, having carried
the Flatbush road, came streaming in on
Sterling left and rear, aud pushed on to
seize the Cortelyon house, which COM
manded the Gowanus Greek bridge.
The Americans displayed a sublime and
almost superhuman yalor at this point on
the field. But all in vain. The odds
against them in point of numbers, discip-
line and armament--were too many. On
the conquering British pressed On the
ruthless Hessians came the Americans
falling before them by scores. 1t was a
terrible spectacle. The dead and wounded
were strewn on all sides Riderless horses
rushed from the ranks and galloped whittier
they would. The air was filed with the
roar of cannon, the rattle of musketry,
the elashing of sabers, the groans Of the
diving. intermingled with the cheers and
wells of the English and Hessians. The
sky above was thick with smoke in which
an occasional vista would be made by the
piercing dart of sudden sun ray, through
which the crimson flag of England could
be seen waving in victory. On pressed
the enemy like the surging sea. The
Americans were massed all along the
Ene.-their situation was becoming des-
perate.
CHARGE OF THE MARYLAND LINE,
Lord Sterling quickly realized that his
entire command was lost if he could not
temporarily hold the enemy in check.
Acting quickly he chose one-half of his
regiment of Marylanders, less then 400 in