Motherless Brooklyn


History of Flatbush, continued


On the first or second evening of their arrival in Flatbush, a drunken revel took place among the British. In rifling the houses, they were directed by John Rubel, to a quantity of wine, which had been left in the house of Mr. David Clarkson, who lived in the dwelling now occupied by Mr. J. C. Bergen. Mr. Clarkson was a strong whig, and after they had vented their spite at him, and his principles, by destroying his furniture, and abusing his premises in a shameful manner, their attention was called, under the direction of their guide, to his wines. These, the greater part of which were specially imported and were very choice, Mr. Clarkson had bottled and stored away in an upper apartment, in the wing of his house, and had built up a partition to conceal them. Rubel had seen this, and was well acquainted with the store thus concealed, and being friendly to the British cause, he gave them information of the fact, and actually guided and assisted them on the occasion. The wine and other liquor was of course procured, and the officers and men indulged freely in the use of it. The back piazza and yard of Mr. Clarkson's house, exhibited a complete drunken frolic. Had the Americans indeed been aware of the situation of the British at this time, a very serious check might have been put to their advance, if not their whole plan subverted.

The Hessian troops under General de Heister, having landed on the 25th, were sent forward on the same day to Flatbush, to compose the centre of the army. The plan of attack was now fixed. The right wing of the English army was committed to Major General Grant, and was designed to operate against the left wing of the Americans, under Lord Stirling. The centre was committed to General de Heister, and was to attempt the pass defended by General Sullivan, at the Port, while the left wing of the British under General Clinton and Lords Percy and Cornwallis, were, by a circuitous route to reach the right wing the American army, which was under command of Colonel Miles, and stationed a little to the eastward of Bedford, on the Jamaica road. The principal hope of success was upon this wing. The plan was well laid, and proved successful. It was, that while General Grant and the Hesians of General De Heister should disquiet and divert the Americans on the right and in the centre, the left wing should surprise them by a circuitous route, and thus fall upon them in the flank and rear. The English hoped that as this post was the most distant from the centre of the army, the advanced guards would there be found more feeble, and perhaps more negligent, and that at all events, they would not be able to defend themselves against a force so superior, as this right wing of the English, was very numerous and entirely composed of select troops. Nor did they judge incorrectly. In order to put this plan thus wisely formed, into execution, on the evening of the 26th, of August, about 9 o'clock, General Clinton commanding the van guard, which consisted of light infantry: Lord Percy the centre, where were found the grenadiers, the artillery and cavalry, and Lord Cornwallis the rear guard, followed by the baggage, some regiments of infantry and of heavy artillery, moved from Flatbush, with admirable silence and order towards Flatlands. They were seen by Captain Cornelius Vanderveer, who stated, that although he was near the fence fronting his house, on the road, he could scarcely hear them. With such silence mid order did this large body of men move, being covered by he darkness of the night. They were on this occasion aided by certain guides, who conducted them till they reached



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