ONE SHOT FIRED:
The Battle of Sag Harbor
The Mission
One Shot Fired…The Battle of Sag Harbor brings to life a pivotal, but largely overlooked chapter of the American Revolution, deepening our understanding of the sacrifices, courage, resilience, and Patriotism that built our town and our nation.
With distribution planned for public television, school districts, cultural organizations and cinemas across Long Island, One Shot Fired... reveals the history beneath our feet, restoring the importance of The Battle of Sag Harbor to the Revolution’s narrative. By connecting the past to the present, the film invites viewers to consider how local history continues to shape our understanding of the country’s history.
History lies beneath our feet...just waiting to be discovered
The Story
Our country is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Yet few people are aware that British forces occupied and tyrannized Long Island for 8 long years after the document was signed.
A British Fort dominated the landscape in Sag Harbor, NY, in 1776, and citizens on Long Island who refused to sign loyalty oaths to the Crown were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to leave their families, homes, and businesses and escape to refuge in Connecticut.
"Meigs Raid"—a Revolutionary War event that took place in Sag Harbor, 250 years before it became "The Hamptons”—has always felt like a sidebar story in the history of the East End of Long Island; one of little, if any, importance in the Revolutionary narrative.
But it was central to the trajectory of America’s ultimate success.
Why is that we know so little about the pitched battle that took place here 250 years ago? Why was its success so important to George Washington and Co., and how was its influence lost to history? Who were these Patriots who braved the domination of the British Navy to surprise and overcome a force much greater in strength than their own? How was this all possible?
The time has come to set this story straight—and tell it to a wider audience.
The Documentary
One Shot Fired, The Battle of Sag Harbor is a half-hour documentary that will reveal in vivid detail the untold story of the Battle of Sag Harbor and its profound and unsung contribution to the success of the American Revolution.
One Shot Fired... corrects the mainstream narrative of the eight-year occupation and oppression of Sag Harbor, N.Y., by Great Britain during the American Revolution. Through a combination of dynamic stories and visual elements—re-enactments, dramatic correspondence, new scientific discoveries, and expert testimony from historians, archaeologists, and journalist contributors—One Shot Fired... will weave an emotionally resonant narrative as to the outsized and long-overlooked impact of the battle on American prospects in 1777, after the crushing defeats of Long Island and New York the preceding year.
More than simply buoying the spirits of General Washington, the Patriots, and the American Army at a particularly low point in the war, the film reveals how the tactical maneuvers employed at Sag Harbor were successfully deployed in subsequent must-win battles against the British invaders. Remarkably, this little-known battle provided a template for further attacks, encouraged the French to become our allies, and paved the way for freedom from the British Crown.
Become a Part of History
Thanks to our generous initial supporters' funding, filming began May 23, 2026. But more funding is needed to realize the potential this story deserves before our premier screening in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle scheduled for May, 2027.
The Sag Harbor Historical Museum, our fiscal Partner is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Any contribution to the productionis tax deductible and comes with other exciting perks.
We invite you to contribute at whatever level you can to our campaign and become a vital part of telling this fascinating and important story. You can view our Sponsorship page for more information on the benefits that come with each level.