Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

On July 4, 1776

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009

1. On July 4, 1776 Marker

Inscription. American Artillerymen under the Command of Maj. Gen. Henry Knox fired from this area on the British Invasion Fleet in New York Harbor. These were the first shots of the Battle of Long Island. Damage & casualties were inflicted upon the H.M.S. Asia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 40° 36.58′ N, 74° 1.959′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Fort Hamilton. It is on Sheridan Loop, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of Fort Hamilton, across from the Country Club. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11218, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 13-inch Seacoast Mortar, Pattern 1861 (here, next to this marker); Spanish 24-Pounder (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hamilton Officers’ Club (within shouting distance of this marker); June 1975 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); M1857 12 Pounder Napoleon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caponier (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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12-Pounder “Napoleons”, Model of 1857 (Reproductions) (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.

Marker in Fort Hamilton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009

2. Marker in Fort Hamilton

Site of the First Shots image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009

3. Site of the First Shots

The first shots of the Battle for New York were fired from this position. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge can be seen in the background of the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,492 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.