276 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

the survivors surrendered, and the enemy was victorious.1 The few who, nerved by their horrible situation, succeeded in cutting their way through the gleaming wall of bayonets and sabres which encircled them, were pursued within musket-shot of the American lines by the grenadiers, who were with the utmost difficulty restrained by their officers from storming Fort Putnam.2 Other fugitives, less fortunate, were skulking along the hills and seeking, amid the swamps and thickets, a temporary respite from capture. Some in larger bodies, had succeeded in getting through the Hessian skirmish line, which now occupied the strip of woods between the Port Road and salt meadows, and were pouring across the dam of Freeke's Mill.3 But, upon this confused and panic-stricken crowd, the Hessians opened a destructive fire from some guns posted on the hills, near the Ninth avenue; and to escape this new horror, many diverged to the south; some being shot and others drowned while struggling through the mud and water of the creeks which abound in that vicinity. Gen. Sullivan was captured by three fusileers of the Regiment von Knyphausen, concealed in a cornfield,

1 The most sanguinary conflict occurred after the Americans had left the Flatbush Pass, and attempted to retreat to the lines at Brooklyn. The place of severest contest, and where Sullivan and his men were made prisoners, was upon the slope between the Flatbush avenue and the Long Island railway (Atlantic street), between Bedford and Brooklyn, near “Baker’s Tavern,” at a little east of the junction of these avenues.—Lossing, Fleld-Book of Rev., ii. p. 810. “Between Washington avenue and Third street, the low ground in the neighborhood of Greene and Fourth avenues, and the heights overlooking Flatbush.”—T. W. Meld.

2 Gen. Robertson says: “The battalion of grenadiers, led by Col. Stuart, and 33d regiment, ran across a field beyond the Flatbush road towards the principal redoubt (Fort Putnam, now Fort Greene). Gen. Vaughan asked if he should attack the lines (which were semicircular and the parapets lined with spears and lances), but he was ordered back.” The London Chronicle says: “Col. Monckton and Gen. Vaughan led the grenadiers and light infantry. They saw the advantage, and told Howe the rebels were shut up between the British and the sea. Vaughan stormed with rage at being stopped, and sent word to Howe that he could force the lines with inconsiderable loss.”

It Is further stated that the American cannon not being well pointed, a large number of the shot overreached the British; but some were killed and wounded by the fire Of small-arms from the lines. It was stated by several of the militia that the bullets whistled over their heads as they stood in the ditch. Gen. Putnam rode along the lines, ordering them not to fire till they could see the whites of the enemy’s eyes. A wounded British officer was brought into Boerum's bolt-house, which was used as a hospital, and where were several rows of beds occupied by the wounded. Onderdonk, Kings Co., sec. 805.

3 Ante, pp. 99, 100.