HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 267

sword, to lead a detachment of the troops around the Pass, through a bridle-path, known as the “Rockaway Path,”1 which traversed the present Evergreen Cemetery. Much to the surprise of the British generals, the pass which they had so carefully flanked was found to be entirely unguarded,2 and the fact was immediately communicated to the main body, then halted on the (East New York) plains. Clinton promptly pushed forward a battalion of light infantry to secure the pass, and at daybreak he followed with his own command along the Jamaica road, and so completely possessed himself of the heights, as virtually to decide the fortunes of the day. He was followed by Lord Percy with the main body, consisting of the Guards, the 2d, 3d, and 5th Brigades, with ten field-pieces, who halted in his rear at an hour before daylight. They in turn were followed by the 49th Regiment, with four medium 12-pounders and the baggage, under its own escort. Being now in position on the Bushwick hills, where they breakfasted, the troops resumed their march along the Jamaica turnpike to Bedford, which they reached about half-past eight o’clock, while the Americans were as yet unaware that they had left Flatlands.3 Pressing forward now with renewed energy, the head of the column, by nine o’clock, had reached and occupied the junction of the Flatbush road and the Jamaica turnpike. The British line now extended from that point to Bedford, and at the distance of half a mile from the rear of the Americans, who were contesting the possession of the Flatbush bills with De Heister— all unconscious that the trap had sprung upon them, and that they were hemmed in on all sides. But so it was. Sullivan, indeed, seems to have been so completely duped by the feint which Grant was making

1 The course of this “Rockaway footpath,” which formed one of the boundaries of the original Indian purchase of Bedford (ante, 159), is accurately traced upon the Battle Map which illustrates this chapter.

2 The Hessian account says that “he learned in a distance of one mile and a half from it, by a reconnoitring party, as others say by a captured American picket,”—most probably the latter.

3 We have it on excellent authority, that when the British column reached “Bedford Corners,” the profound silence and secrecy which had previously characterized their movements, gave way to a feeling of exultant joy. They felt assured that the great object of their long and wary night-march was fully accomplished; their bands struck up lively strains of martial music, and, with elastic step, the troops pressed eagerly forward towards Brooklyn.