Picturesque Sketches of American Progress; Comprising Official Descriptions of Great American Cities - Prepared Under the Supervision of the Authorities of the Respectuve Cities, Showing Their Origin, Development, Present Condition, (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ...after the publication of the Declaration, General Howe, with Clinton and a large force of troops, made up mainly of Hessians hired to fight from some petty German Prince, appeared off New York. These Hessians were hired at so much per head to fight in any war; and their employment was a scandal to Europe. Frederick the Great did not hesitate to express his unmitigated contempt for both parties to the bargain and sale. The British army was now twenty-five thousand men, and Lord Howe had brought with him a commission to pacify the Colonies. They were now no longer Colonies but free and independent States. So when General Howe invited them to lay down their arms, and promised them a free pardon, they replied that they were not seeking forgiveness but liberty. The sword must be the arbiter now. The British landed upon Staten Island, a few miles from New York. With his fleet he could hold undisputed possession of the bay, and at his leisure choose his point of assault. General Putnam was sent with a body of troops to take and hold the heights of Brooklyn which commanded the city of New York. Staten Island could be seen from the heights and after a while the English were observed moving. They struck their tents, marched on ship board and crossed the bay. Putnam marched out of the works to meet the enemy, for Washington did not hope for a victory, only to do all he could to cripple them. The English landed ten thousand men, in three divisions. The left division under General Grant, moved along the shore towards Gowanus, The right, under Clinton and Cornwallis, toward the interior, and the center, composed of Hessians, under De Heister. The right attacked the Americans, and others came to help what seemed the main attack, while the remaining...