I Survived the American Revolution, 1776

The men are ordered to march to Gowanus Heights, trading positions with men from Pennsylvania who have been there for the last three days. Initially, Nate is meant to stay at the base camp but continues onward because “twenty-two men in the Connecticut 5th [are] too sick to march” (87) that morning. The Captain tells Nate that he can accompany them after all and will then march back to base camp with the men from Pennsylvania. Nate is nervous at what might await him in Gowanus Heights, but he is proud to march alongside his friends.

As they march through the wilderness of Brooklyn, they pass a deserted farm. Surmising that a family used to live there, Nate begins to miss Theo all over again. He wonders what happened to the family who lived at the abandoned farm, but his thoughts are soon interrupted by the sound of cannon fire. The British aren’t supposed to be anywhere near them, and the attack takes them completely by surprise. Soon the air is filled with the sounds of cannons and muskets firing at them. The Captain orders everyone to take cover, but it is too late for Samuel. Nate watches as Samuel clutches his bleeding chest and sinks to the ground.