1776

That night in Brooklyn evening a fierce, terrible thunderstorm commenced; lightning set several houses ablaze, maiming and killing soldiers. Even after the storm subsided, the gray cloud that circled overhead was seen as a bad omen. On the next clear day, 4,000 British soldiers attacked. By noon, they numbered 15,000. The British soldiers and the Hessians were surprised at the burned out houses, but they also marveled at the beauty and bounty that these colonists possessed.

The American soldiers continued their hooliganism and were reprimanded by Washington. The soldiers considered their best fighting ground to be the ridge and woods, but the Americans suffered from lack of military intelligence. They had needed a cavalry but had not asked for one.

General Henry Clinton was to devise the plan for the British attaché. His idea, rejected at first by General Howe, was accepted later by General Erskine—then accepted by Howe. Aware of the Continental Army’s weaknesses, the British planned their attack. On August 26, they executed it.

The British began the campaign at night, and they were led in the dark by three loyalist farmers of questionable integrity. After an interminable march, the redcoats came across several rebel sentries from whom they learned that the pass was unguarded.