This is a map taken from Henry P. Johnston’s 1878 Edition of “The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn”, describing the movement of British, German and American Troops on 27 August 1776 during the Battle of Long Island and the subsequent retreat of American troops across the Gowanus marshes. Julius Bien and F. von Egloffstein are listed as the map makers. The cartography is most likely based on Bernard Ratzer’s 1766 Survey, with fortifications from the 1782 British Headquarters Map, and potentially Valentine’s Manual of Old New York. Brouwer’s Dam Bridge is shown as destroyed, blown up by Connecticut troops, an act which stranded Lord Stirling’s forces, forcing the Marylanders to fight the British at the Old Stone House. This map is part of Battle of Brooklyn archives being compiled by Proteus Gowanus, a fun place built on the site of historic Brouwer’s Mill, and now a mini-museum of Gowanus history and stop on Brooklyn’s Revolutionary Trail. Map provided by Justin Burke.
