In the early hours of the morning of August 27,
1776 a party of British soldiers raided a watermelon patch near the Red Lion Inn at
the intersection of Martense Lane and Gowanus Road (approximately 4th Avenue at 36th Street)
and was driven off by Pennsylvania riflemen. The British returned with 5,000 troops under the
command of General James Grant and were met by 1,300 American soldiers from Delaware, Maryland,
Connecticut, and New York under the command of General William Alexander (Lord Stirling).
The Americans and British armies exchanged fire from line formations within the area of
present day Green-Wood Cemetery. The battle continued until 10:00 in the morning without
significant losses to the American forces.
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