Blood of Liberty

BattleofLongisland.jpg

Blood of Liberty
Long Island, New York
Thirteen Colonies
August 29th, 1776


George Washington watched his men fire on the British as they advanced and felt a deep sense of worry. He had tried his best to keep his men safe but unless a miracle happened, they would be finished. He shuddered to think what would happen if the British took New York. They would have a new and strategic port close to the heart of the Revolution. It would make winning this war all that much more harder; he could not let that happen. He watched as the British return fire and a man in front of him fall to the ground, screaming in pain. It hurt him like a father watching his son fall from a tree. He briefly contemplated getting off his horse and joining the fight but instead thought better of it. He was an old man now and his days of fighting on the front were long gone. He had contented himself to leading his men, instead of fighting with them. Washington then turned his mind to securing his men's escape. He reared his horse and rode off, back to his headquarters.

When he got back he slowed his horse and got off just as an aide rushed to him and took his horse off to be hitched. He was met by Thomas Mifflin, commander of the troops he had pulled in from Manhattan a day prior. He had been advocating evacuation but Washington still held out hope he could salvage this day, now he could only but agree with Thomas's suggestion.

"Did you see what I saw?" Thomas asked.

"Yes. You are right. The line wont hold much longer. I give the go ahead on the evacuation." Washington said resignedly "How will you go about that?"

"I....I cannot say." Thomas said "I would suggest fleeing across the Harbor but the sky is as clear as a saints soul. If we pull troops from front it could compromise the entire line. If the weather wasn't so clear we could've pulled troops..." Thomas responded

Washington sighed deeply as he walked into his tent and saw Generals Putnam, Knox and Alexander discussing how to escape.

"Do any of you have any idea on how to escape?" Washington asked.

"We could launch an offensive to break through the British lines. Escape that way." Israel Putnam said.


"It is to risky. I suggest we go with Mifflin's original plan of escaping across the Harbor." Knox said. Alexander nodded determinately at that. Washington sighed again as he sat in his chair and thought. He liked Mifflin's idea, but the danger was palpable. The Royal Navy was reported to be just outside the Harbor and if his troops tried to cross, and if the British found out. Putnam's plan was reckless that much was plain however Washington could see the logic in doing it. The Harbor crossing potentially presented more danger than gains. His thoughts were interrupted when a boy no older than 18 ran into the tent and handed Washington a dirty piece of paper. Washington read it and his heart sank. His units were beginning to break, they were out of time. Washington stood and turned to the generals "Go tell your troops to attack towards the Brooklyn Ferry. There you all can arrange for another retreat across the Harbor."

Putnam stood up first "What about you sir?" he asked.

"I am leading the troops in a diversionary strike." Washington declared

"You can't!" Alexander said next "Respectfully sir you cannot do that. It's a death sentence for sure." he said

"Men, I am quickly becoming an old man. I am already 44 and I am not getting any younger. My military career has been nothing but blunders and retreats. I will not allow another such blunder to stain my record. The loss of one superior officer is a hit this nation can recover from, but the loss of six would bring even the mightiest of nations to her knees. Now, as an order from your superior officer, attack towards the Brooklyn Ferry." Washington said.

The collected generals stood quiet for a few tense seconds and Washington wondered if they would refuse but most of them left. The only one left was Putnam. He walked up to Washington and clasped his hand in Washington's and with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face said "Lets go kill us some Lobster-backs."

Washington considered refusing but realized arguing with Putnam was a futile endeavor. He nodded and got on his horse, soon followed by Putnam. The two reared their steeds and rode off Putnam's troops on the opposite flank. As they reached Put's men they both gave each other a knowing look, by this time the other generals were already starting to attack. Put rode off to another section of his line, leaving Washington alone. Washington took a deep breath, thanked Martha for all the wonderful years she gave him and then gave his order. "Men! Advance!" he yelled. The men looked up at him, confused momentarily, but Washington returned their stares with one of steely determination. They began to advance cautiously with Washington at their backs. As they did Washington noticed that Put's line was also advancing. The British opened fire with all they had, tearing into Washington's line. Men screamed as cannon and shot broke skin and bone.

As the line approached the British Washington noticed Put's troop let out a loud roar and charge forward. Washington gulped before barking another order "Men! Charge!" he yelled, kicking his horse into a gallop. The men, either to follow orders or in an attempt not to get trampled by Washington's horse, let our a similarly loud roar and charged forward. Washington began to look back on his life as they approached the British line. His childhood, meeting Martha, finally marrying her and making himself the happiest man in the world. As they got close enough to see the whites of their eyes, Washington was happy. Suddenly a bullet ripped into his horses neck. The steed tumbled forward yelping in pain, throwing Washington to the ground. Washington, without skipping a beat, rolled back onto his feet and continued the charge. Suddenly a blinding pain shot up his leg but he continued his charge. Washington saw his men impact the British line and made his way to the front. He drew his saber and pistol and the next few minuets were those of blind fury and pain. Washington put his saber through a young British boy and watched as he collapsed, taking his saber with it. He then unloaded his pistol before finally resorting to his bare fists, he would take another 5 bullets and 10 shots before finally collapsing from a mixture of exhaustion and blood loss. As he finally faded into darkness Washington smiled once more and mouthed the words "Thank you, Martha".
 
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