Description
As shown on the map, British forces led by General William Howe landed on Long Island on August 22, planning to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River. On the 27th, they marched into Brooklyn Heights and outflanked General George Washington’s Continental Army. 1,000 American soldiers and 400 of the British died. However, Howe decided not to storm the Americans’ positions in Brooklyn Heights, allowing Washington to save the remainder of his army from capture by retreating to Manhattan two days later.
This map came from an atlas volume that accompanied the first French edition of John Marshall’s Life of George Washington, translated by Henry. Map historian R.V. Tooley says that the French geographer Jean Nicolas Buache made the maps.
Jean Nicolas Buache was a French geographer who held the title of First Geographer to the King of France. Buache was elected a member of the Academy of Sciences in 1770 and was charged by Louis XVI with mapping the French jurisdictions known as “bailliages.” He also authored numerous books, including Mémoires sur les Découvertes à Faire dans le Grand Océan (1797-98). He was the nephew of Philippe Buache, who had served as the first geographer to the king in 1729.
Full publication information: Dentu, Imprimeur-Libraire, Rue Du Pont-De-Lodi, No. 3. Paris: 1807.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning and wear. Scattered very minor pale foxing. Center fold as issued. Frame good with the usual wear and shrinkage.
References:
“Ile de New York, Partie de Long-Island…” David Rumsey Map Collection. 2010. http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~36115~1200184 (17 May 2013).
“Jean-Nicolas Buache.” Wikipedia. 19 March 2013. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Nicolas_Buache (17 May 2013).
“The Battle of Brooklyn.” History.com. 1996-2013. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-brooklyn (17 May 2013).