The Maryland 400, Part I

The British had stumbled in Boston the year last, but came again for vengeance bold to bleed freedom, damage untold, with fire and with blast. To New York their ships sailed thirty thousand men strong, and Washington, on islands spread, awaited their coming with dread, with his militia throngs. Twenty thousand untrained souls, armies came right for them, divided, not knowing just where the British would come, all were scared, these untried minutemen. But defenses they made, on Long Island’s low hills, Brooklyn Heights was their great redoubt, of its defenses they could tout, its battlements they filled. But to Gravesend redcoats would soon begin to land, fifteen thousand went unopposed, and on to Flatbush they did go, trained soldiers to a man. When Washington heard this fifteen hundred he sent, bolstered that front to six thousand to try and defend the homeland, from being torn and rent. But the militia planned to block hilly passes, the British has to pass through these, where patriots would make them bleed, then fall back to assess. But this plan came to naught when local localists spoke up of the Jamaica Road, a small pass of which few would know, a force marched for it, brisk. British general Clinton divided up his troops, for Jamaica his main force went, scattered the five defending men, marching in a great loop. Grant attacked to distract at the pass of Gowanus, while Hessians marched for Flatbush Pass, where General Sullivan held fast, to match them thrust for thrust. But then Britian’s main force from Jamaica arrived, Attacked the rebels from the rear, while in front the Hessians drew near, the trap sprung, rebels died. Sullivan fought two fronts, and knew that he’d be beat, now crumbling from the attack, he ordered his men to fall back, in orderly retreat. Many didn’t make it, some got the bayonet, Sullivan himself was captured, but despite this the fight endured, on the right it raged yet. General Grant’s distraction became full-fledged assault, but the rebels had held the line, under Lord Stirling they did find, and made the British halt... CONCLUDES IN PART II.