Episode 5
“On the morning of June 29th, 1776 the waters off Gowanus looked like dozens of clothes lines had been hung from our shore to Staten Island. At least 45 British ships, with their huge white sails, filled the harbor. They struck their sails (lowered them) and dropped anchor. All work stopped on the farms. Master Bergen said “This is the worst possible event and nothing more terrible could possibly happen.” It was like the entire British navy had come to the doorstep of Gowanus. But he was wrong, within a week, things got worse, much worse - an additional 130 British ships arrived and set anchor off of Staten Island.”
“The farmers all along the Gowanus Road met in early July to discuss the situation. They decided that resistance was futile. And they began making plans to hide their food stocks and their small animals. My master had me bring our chickens and two pigs to a small hidden hollow a hundred yards inland. All of Gowanus seemed to be busy moving along the road and then suddenly off the road into the thick woods to their various hiding places.”
“On Saturday July 6th, word came to us that in Philadelphia, representatives of the 13 colonies had declared our independence. My master and his wife hugged each other in grief, as if a loved one had died. My mother and I had to hide our joy at the news for fear of inciting the wrath of Master Bergen, but oh our hearts were filled with great hope for the future.”
Peter had been speaking as if to himself. As soon as he began his discourse it was as if he was possessed, or maybe more appropriately, practicing the skill of his father as an oral history book. He now looked at me and laughed, saying “My new friend, you must be thinking, I must find an opportunity to flee before this madman continues his tale”. I assured him that he couldn’t have a more attentive audience. Peter reached down and picked up a watermelon rind, left from my snack, and used it as a cup to scoop water from the fresh stream along the road. He took a sip as if to assure me that the quick running water was of good enough quality to drink, and then he handed the watermelon cup to me. The water indeed was fresh and quite cold, as if straight from a refrigerator.
Peter seemed more relaxed as I returned the now empty “cup” to him and he refilled it and drank. I took the opportunity of his lips being busy with drinking, rather than speaking, to make an offer. “Peter”, I said, “Would you think it rude if I was to share with you at this point my knowledge of the events of which you are speaking?”
He seemed surprised by my offer and said “My dear, but recent friend, as a stranger to Gowanus how could you possibly know of these things?”. Now it was my turn to laugh as I said “Peter, my new but good friend, if I was to tell you that I spent most of my life here in Gowanus you might question my honesty. And if I was to add, I spent most of my life here in Gowanus but a hundred years from now, you would change your estimation of me from being a liar to being either drunk or mad. So let me merely say, I have knowledge of the things of which you speak and I ask that you indulge me for a brief moment and then judge the worth of my words.”
“Well said”, was Peter’s response. “You have a way with words, might you be a lawyer?”. I smiled and said “No” and began my treatise.
“A week after you received word from Philadelphia, the British sent a letter to General Washington to ask to begin negotiations for a peace settlement. But Washington refused to accept the letter because it did not recognize him as a General. Finally a representative of the British came under a flag of truce and told Washington that the British were willing to offer him and his followers a pardon if they lay down their arms. Washington replied “Those who have committed no fault want no pardon." and the envoy left.”
“On August 1, 45 more ships with 3,000 additional troops arrive and within two weeks 3,000 more British troops and another 8,000 Hessians had arrived. At this point the British fleet numbered over 400 ships, including 73 war ships, and 32,000 troops were camped on Staten Island.”
I continued “On August 22nd, the British troops began landing on Long Island, in the area of Gravesend. By noon a total of 15,000 enemy troops had landed and with them 40 pieces of artillery. They were greeted by loyalists and pushed 6 miles inland to Flatbush and then set up camp. 5,000 Hessians, paid mercenaries, joined the British. On the night of August 26th....” Peter quite excitedly interrupted my discourse. He said “Tony, my dear, please allow ME to continue “our” story at this point.”