The history of the "Missing Lantern"

Shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War occurred in Brooklyn. On August 26, 1776 Washington and his army arrived in Brooklyn and positioned themselves into a predicament. He was flanked by the German mercenaries and the British Navy was driving up the western shore line.

The only solution was to retreat. Washington ordered his troops to be in complete silence, all lights out, thereby hiding their whereabouts as much as possible. The British scouts used lanterns to mark the boundary of the American army and to communicate any messages back to the British troops. The scouts were confused by the General Washington's stealth maneuver; they were captured before they could signal back to the British troops. The American army was able to escape undetected through a thick fog at the break of sunrise using no lanterns.

With no signal from the scouts the British troops delayed their advance and missed their opportunity to attack the vulnerable Americans. When the British arrived they found their scouts and the “Missing Lantern”.

Today, the Missing Lantern is a point of arrival to the great destination of Brooklyn, New York. It symbolizes the genius of General Washington in protecting his troops. It also reflects the elegance and charm that inspired the British to capture this small New England Island that became Brooklyn.