1951 3c Battle of Brooklyn

U.S. #1003
3¢ Battle of Brooklyn 

Issue Date: December 10, 1951
City: Brooklyn, NY
Quantity: 116,130,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 11 x 10½
Color: Violet

Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn, U.S. #1003 pictures General George Washington evacuating his troops near the Fulton Ferry House.

The Battle of Brooklyn

The Battle of Brooklyn (also known as the Battle of Long Island) marked the first fighting between the Continental and British armies of the Revolutionary War. It was also the largest battle of the war. British General William Howe commanded an army of 32,000 backed by the powerful British fleet. In August of 1776, the British force attacked General George Washington and his army of 20,000. Washington’s troops lacked the military training of the British soldiers, and the General had no navy. It’s estimated the Americans suffered about 2,000 casualties, while British losses were less than 400.

Although the Americans lost the Battle of Brooklyn, they showed the determination that eventually won the war. In one notable instance, a Maryland regiment of 400 men fiercely attacked a well-defended British outpost. All but nine died. However, their valiant efforts bought General Washington the time to gather his remaining troops for a retreat across the East River. British soldiers occupied Brooklyn until 1783.

Battle Of White Plains 

On October 28, 1776, George Washington led the 14,000–man Continental Army in the Battle of White Plains against British General William Howe’s 20,000 redcoats.

After evacuating Boston in March 1776, the British regrouped in Nova Scotia and began planning a new campaign to take over New York City. General Howe hoped to use New York to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. That August the British landed on Long Island and defeated Washington’s troops at the Battle of Brooklyn (also known as the Battle of Long Island).

Following that battle, Washington and his men retreated while the British moved into Manhattan gave chase to the Continental Army. Their advanced was halted at Harlem Heights. In mid-October, the British began an encirclement of the Americans, aimed at trapping them between two land forces and the Royal Navy on the Hudson River.

While British General William Howe had established his camp at New Rochelle, he had advance units located just seven miles from White Plains, an under defended Continental Army supply depot. Washington discovered that the British were dangerously close to his army and the supplies and ordered reinforcements to White Plains immediately. Washington relocated to White Plains on October 23 and established three-mile long entrenched defensive position.

On the morning of October 28, Howe’s army marched toward White Plains. Washington was busy inspecting his lines when he received word that the British were advancing. He immediately ordered his men into position. British attempts to take the hills along the American line were initially halted. But then a Hessian artillery unit began firing on an American-held hilltop, sending the militia there into a retreat. They soon reorganized and established a defensive line, but Howe ordered a detachment to take the hill.

The British charged the hill, sending the Americans on the right flank scattering. Those that remained fired on the British, halting their advance. But with their flank exposed, they began a fighting retreat, which ultimately led the rest of the American line to retreat.

Alexander Hamilton positioned his canon strategically and held a large Hessian contingent at bay to allow an orderly retreat. A second German unit outflanked Washington’s men, trapping them between Howe and the Hessians. However, Howe didn’t advance and lost the opportunity to destroy Washington’s army.

As night fell, a powerful storm moved through the region. Howe ordered his troops to set up camp and artillery batteries. After two days of soaking rain and inactivity, Washington’s men slipped away during the night.