Abatis
“A defensive line of felled trees in front of a wall or parapet. These were seldom the neatly trimmed and sharpened line of tree trunks of the movies, but trees laid with branches interwoven to tangle up any opposing infantry trying to cross them.” – The Battle of Brooklyn 1776, by John J. Gallagher

“The woods should be secured by abates, etc., where necessary, to make the enemy’s approach as difficult as possible.” Orders of General Washington

Communications
At the Battle of Brooklyn, the American army listed “at least 32 generals whose names were recorded, and average of one for every 1,200 men. Communications on the field of battle were by word of mouth, orders being carried by courier – or signaled by flag and drumbeat and in the cavalry, by hunting horn. To be effective in action, generals had to be close to the scene.” (JJG)

“The command post that served as Washington’s Brooklyn headquarters was set up in the Cornell House (at a spot where today’s Montague Street nears the promenade in Brooklyn Heights) overlooking the ferry landing. A telegraph* was mounted on its roof for rapid communication with New York… *An elevated platform for flag signals by day and lanterns by night. Perhaps this was a version of the semaphore invented by Englishman Richard Lowell Edgeworth in 1767 and named after the Greek for “I bear a sign.” In its full form it was a system of visual telegraphy, signaling from watchtower to watchtower stationed five to ten miles apart. “ (JJG)

Forts
“Fort Putnam, on the heights over Wallabout Bay, was a star-shaped battery with six cannon to secure the northern flank. Named in honor of Colonel Rufus Putnam, Israel Putnam”s engineer cousin who laid out much of the fieldworks, it name was changed to Fort Greene during the War of 1812. Today, Fort Greene Park is the site of the memorial to those Americans who died in British prision ships in the Bay during the occupation.” – The Battle of Brooklyn 1776, by John J. Gallagher

“According to British military engineers who examined them, the American fortifications were substantial. On Major Holland noted that they were laid out according to the “rules of fortifications,’ well and solidly built.’” – The Battle of Brooklyn 1776, by John J. Gallagher

Trenches
“The afternoon of August 27th, Howe ordered preparations for a formal siege and move the units in best condition to seal off the American defenses. While half of those troops rested and ate, the other half, 1,300 in all, took up their spades and started digging.’” – The Battle of Brooklyn 1776, by John J. Gallagher

“It was still dark and rainy on the morning of Thursday the 29th. The British had finished their siege works and were ready for action. How bided his time and di not press on even though the rain stoped and the heavy fog had lifted by noon.” – The Battle of Brooklyn 1776, by John J. Gallagher