August 27, 1776
Just after midnight | In a watermelon patch
Hungry British scouts find a field of watermelons at Martense Lane and Shore Road. American guards spot them and fire the first shots of the Battle of Brooklyn.
Before Dawn
Brooklyn Heights
A few guards from the watermelon patch awaken troops in Brooklyn Heights. They head to the battle at Shore Road Pass under General William Alexander.
“I was asleep. Did I hear . . . ?”
“Shots fired, men! We’re going to fight!”
Corporal Samuel McMillan – Early 20s
His brother is here too!
Sergeant William Sands – 19 years old
11:00 AM
After hours of pitched combat
McMillan, Sands, and the Americans from Maryland and Delaware have blocked the British for hours. But more British soldiers just keep coming. General Alexander orders a retreat.
“He said, fall back!”
“To the farmhouse up Shore Road!”
Midday
Mayhem at the Vechte Farmhouse
The Marylanders make it to the farmhouse but not to safety. Their commander orders them to attack the British at the farmhouse so that others can escape. Sands is killed. McMillan is captured. Somehow the farmhouse survives.
Watermelon Patch
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