]
The battle ended in the afternoon with the defeat of the British, who
lost 200 of their number.
This was a great victory for the Americans, who fought against superior
numbers--great because the men had lost heart after the defeat on Long
Island, and the forced retreat from the city. There was sorrow for the
dead, for even victories have a sad side. Every one of the 100 American
soldiers who were killed that day were brave men, and though all their
names are not written in history, the manner of their death urged on
their companions in the days that followed.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE BRITISH FAIL to SWEEP EVERYTHING BEFORE THEM
On the fourth day after the battle of Harlem Heights the soldiers of
England were making themselves comfortable in New York when a great
fire broke out. It swept over the city and 500 houses crumbled and fell
in ashes before it was controlled. Almost the entire western part of
the city was consumed, St. Paul's Chapel being the only building of
importance that was saved. Almost all who favored the American cause had
fled. But a few remained, and there was a hint that these had started
the fire. The British soldiers were angered when they saw the city they
had just entered burning, and while the flames roared and the houses
fell they rushed about and in their rage dashed out the brains of the
citizens who sought to beat back the flames from their homes.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117