Fort Defiance (Brooklyn)

Fort Defiance (Brooklyn) was a strategically important earthenwork fortification built in 1776 on a high bluff overlooking the Buttermilk Channel in Brooklyn, New York (then part of the colony of New York). It played a significant role in the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn).

The fort was constructed by American forces under the command of General Nathanael Greene in the spring and summer of 1776, designed to command the harbor and prevent British naval vessels from sailing into the East River to attack Manhattan. Its elevated position offered a commanding view of the surrounding waterways, including the entrance to the Buttermilk Channel separating Brooklyn from Governors Island.

Although heavily bombarded by British ships during the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, Fort Defiance proved difficult to subdue. Its location and construction provided a measure of protection for the defending troops. Despite the resistance, the overall defeat of the Continental Army on Long Island forced General George Washington to order a strategic retreat.

Under the cover of darkness and a dense fog on August 29-30, 1776, Washington successfully evacuated his troops from Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan, using boats across the East River. This retreat allowed the American forces to continue the war effort. Fort Defiance was subsequently occupied by British forces.

The original site of Fort Defiance is now located within Brooklyn Bridge Park, a waterfront park offering expansive views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Governors Island. Historical markers commemorate the fort's significance in the American Revolutionary War. While no visible remains of the original earthworks exist, the site remains a place of historical interest, connecting visitors to a crucial moment in American history. Further archaeological investigation and interpretation within Brooklyn Bridge Park may continue to shed light on the specific layout and features of the fort.