Battle Pass, originally known by names such as Flatbush Pass, Valley Grove, or The Porte, holds a significant place in American history due to its role in the 1776 Battle of Long Island. Today, this historic hill pass is an integral part of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. Its strategic location made it a crucial point during the Revolutionary War, where American defenders attempted to halt the northward advance of British forces. The preservation
of this battlefield was, in fact, one of the primary reasons cited for the eventual creation of Prospect Park, underscoring its enduring historical importance.
The Strategic Importance of Battle Pass
During the Battle of Long Island, Battle Pass served as a key defensive position for the American forces. The pass itself runs for approximately 150 feet along the car-free East Drive within Prospect Park. A notable feature commemorating this period is the small Dongan Oak Monument. This monument marks the location of a boundary tree, known as the Dongan Oak, which was felled and strategically used as a barricade by American defenders to impede the British invasion. The stump of the original Dongan Oak was still recorded as late as the 1840s, though it may have been lost during the extensive landscaping efforts that shaped Prospect Park, which involved leveling parts of the hills.
Early History and Landscaping Challenges
Beyond its military significance, Battle Pass also had a more pastoral history. In the early 19th century, the site was home to a vineyard where Isabella grapes were cultivated. However, when Prospect Park was designed, the emphasis on naturalistic landscape architecture meant that a large, overt memorial was discouraged. Consequently, the historical significance of Battle Pass is often little-noticed by visitors today, despite its critical past. The landscaping that created the park transformed the area, and while preserving the battlefield was a stated goal, the physical alterations may have inadvertently obscured some of its original features.
Commemorative Efforts and Modern Challenges
Over the years, various efforts have been made to commemorate Battle Pass and its role in the Revolution. The United States Centennial in 1876 saw the Sons of the Revolution sponsor the Line of Defense monument and the planting of a Centennial Oak. Later, in 1890, a symbolic new Dongan Oak was planted by John W. Hunter on Arbor Day, with descendants of the Dongan family in attendance. In the 1910s, Raymond Ingersoll placed temporary markers for Battle Pass and other Revolutionary sites in the park, though these have since been lost. Charles M. Higgins, who wrote several of these markers, also proposed more elaborate monuments, including placing Revolutionary-era cannons or captured German cannons on Redoubt Hill.
Further recognition came on Evacuation Day in 1922 with the dedication of the Dongan Oak Monument, featuring a bronze eagle atop a stele. Designed by Frederick Ruckstull and sponsored by the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, this monument stands as a more permanent tribute. The local "Battle Pass Chapter" of the Daughters of the American Revolution added another boulder marker in 1929. Unfortunately, the eagle atop the Dongan Oak Monument has been stolen twice, in the 1970s and again in the 1990s, but has been replaced both times by the Prospect Park Alliance. The area around the monument has also faced environmental challenges, particularly vulnerability to flooding, which necessitated repairs in the 2010s. Today, two historic tablets set in boulders also serve to mark Battle Pass, ensuring its story continues to be told.
