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Maryland 400: The Revolutionary War rearguard at the Battle of Brooklyn
On August 27, 1776, during the Battle of Brooklyn, a contingent of Maryland soldiers known as the Maryland 400 performed a critical rearguard action during the American Revolutionary War. Facing significantly larger British and Hessian forces, the Marylanders made a stand that provided essential time for George Washington and approximately 9,000 Continental soldiers to retreat and escape toward Manhattan.
The resistance came at a high cost, with many soldiers killed or captured. The bravery of these troops led George Washington to refer to them as his ‘old line,’ a sentiment that contributed to Maryland being known today as the ‘Old Line State.’
Commanding the rearguard was Brigadier William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling. The battle took place in what is now Brooklyn, with significant fighting occurring near locations such as the Vechte-Cortelyou House and Battle Hill.
Entities
Battle of Brooklyn · Continental Army · George Washington · Maryland 400 · William Alexander
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A contingent of Maryland soldiers, known as the Maryland 400, acted as a rearguard during the Battle of Brooklyn. emergingrevolutionarywar.org · preservationmaryland.org · ricochet.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The actions of the Maryland 400 allowed George Washington and approximately 9,000 Continental soldiers to escape. preservationmaryland.org · ricochet.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brigadier William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling, commanded the rearguard. ricochet.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] George Washington expressed grief over the loss of the soldiers during the battle. ricochet.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Battle of Brooklyn took place on August 27, 1776. emergingrevolutionarywar.org · preservationmaryland.org · ricochet.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Maryland is known as the 'Old Line State' in honor of these soldiers. preservationmaryland.org · ricochet.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Maryland 400 suffered heavy casualties, with some companies losing a significant portion of their men. preservationmaryland.org · ricochet.com