The Maryland 400 (who got that name because “The Maryland 270 ” was too awkward?) was directly responsible for keeping the American losses relatively low, considering how badly the battle went for them.

In the final accounting, about 300 soldiers were dead, another 650-800 were wounded and 1100 were captured. British and German casualties numbered 64 dead and 314 missing, wounded or captured.

Not an auspicious showing for the Continental Army in their first battle since the Declaration of Independence was made public. However, the fact that the bulk of the American army did manage to make it across the East River back into Manhattan was, in itself, a morale-booster, especially when it became common knowledge that George Washington was the last Continental to leave Brooklyn. And in retrospect, the escape from Brooklyn is considered to be one of Washington’s greatest military accomplishments. Having said that, there is an argument that he was only successful because the British navy failed to patrol the East River, and they’d be right. But most battle successes are going to come with a dollop of luck.

However, the losses weren’t over for Washington, and eventually he had to withdraw his forces to New Jersey. Meanwhile, the British held onto New York for the rest of the war.

What the British didn’t manage to do, however, was cut off New England the way they’d hoped. But that comes later.

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