The Brooklyn Bridge Marks The Spot

The Brooklyn Bridge, arguably the greatest bridge in the world, marks the spot of perhaps the most important event in American history. On August 27, 1776, the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War began with more than 40,000 soldiers involved. Essentially, it was the Gettysburg of the Revolutionary War.

The American colonists, inexperienced at war, suffered lopsided casualties compared to the British – 2,905 Americans captured, wounded or killed to 367 British. General George Washington watched in embarrassment from atop Brooklyn Heights.

During the evening of August 29, 1776, a calm river and unseasonably heavy fog set the stage for the miracle that took place. Facing certain defeat from an expected British assault the following morning, Washington led the escape of his army across the East River to Manhattan. Thousands of soldiers rounded up boats of any shape or size for an extremely risky and stealthy departure in the early hours of August 30. Legend has it that Washington was last to leave and could be seen by the British as they took Brooklyn Heights that morning. Many historians believe that if Washington had not escaped with his forces that night the war would have been over and the American cause all but dead.

So the next time you’re near the Brooklyn Bridge, give thanks for the miracle escape of 1776.

The video above is of David McCullough discussing the premise for his book, 1776. I recently read John Adams, also by McCullough, and just finished the HBO miniseries based on the book. After I wrap up American Creation by Joseph Ellis, I plan to start 1776 and can’t wait to hear McCullough’s vivid details of the Battle of Brooklyn.