Old Stone House
Maryland 400 Fought Almost To the Last
To Save American Army and Revolution
(You may want to first read about the beginning of the Battle of Long Island
under Battle Pass).
During the Battle of Long Island, the Americans near the Harbor had surprised the British
with their tenacity. Moving to assist General Stirling, Colonel Samuel Atlee took
possession of a hill to block the British advance. The British lost over 60 officers and
men in these attacks as the Americans kept the astonished invaders at bay for most of the
morning.
By 11 a.m., the Americans near the harbor could hear firing in their rear. Realizing that
he had been surrounded, Stirling ordered most of his men to fall back in good order,
continuing to retard the advance of the British in their front. With 400 Maryland
Continental soldiers, he moved to check the enveloping movement in his rear while the rest
of the American army escaped the trap. The British were approaching the Carilyou house,
which dominated the only remaining line of retreat for the Americans.
Stirling decided to check the British advance by attacking the house.
He launched six attacks, overrunning the house twice. After buying time for the rest of
the American army to escape, and with most of the Marylanders dead or wounded, Stirling
surrendered.
Of the 400 Marylanders, 256 were dead in front of the Old Stone House and more than 100
others were killed or captured. Only 10 successfully escaped to Brooklyn Heights.
It was apparently this battle at the House, which Washington watched from within the
fortifications on Brooklyn Heights, that led him to make his famous comment: "Good
God, what brave men must I lose this day!"
The story of the Battle of Long Island continues with Battle Hill.
Address: Byrne Park, Fourth Avenue and Third Street.
Borough: Brooklyn.
Hours: Saturday, noon to 3 p.m.
Phone: 718 768-3195.
Transportation: N or R Train to Union Street, or F to 9th Street. (From
Battle Pass, take the 2,3,4 or 5 towards Manhattan to Atlantic Avenue, change to the N or
R in the direction of Fort Hamilton or Coney Island, to Union Street. Walk south on Fourth
Avenue to park.)
Area Map: