engagement from the stone walls and other enclo sures about the scene of action. General Putnam, with General Beal's brigade, was ordered to their support; but not having arrived while they were in possession of the hill, it was deemed improper to attempt to regain it, and the troops retreated to the main army.

In this engagement, which, during its continuance, was very animated on both sides, the loss was supposed to have been about equal. That of the Americans was between three and four hundred, in killed, wounded, and taken. Colonel Smallwood was among the wounded.

General Washington continued in his lines, expecting an attack; to prepare for which, his sick and baggage were removed into his rear: but as a considerable part of the day had been exhausted in gaining the hill which had been occupied by M'Dougal, all attempts on his intrenchments were postponed until the next morning, and the whole British army lay on their arms the following night, in order of battle, and on the ground they had taken during the day.

The night was employed by General Washington in strengthening his works, removing his sick and baggage, and preparing, by changing the arrangement of his troops, for the expected attack. His left maintained its position, but his right was drawn back to stronger groupd. Perceiving this, and

being unwilling to leave any thing to hazard, Howe resolved to postpone further offensive ope.. rations till Lord Percy should arrive with four battalions from New York, and two from the postat Mamara Neck. This reinforcement was received on the evening of the thirtieth, and preparations were then made for the attack next morning. In the night, however, and during the early part of the succeeding day, a violent rain fell, which induced a further postponement of the assault *. The provisions and heavy baggage of the army being now removed to much stronger ground, and apprehending that the enemy, whose left wing, on the height taken from General M'Dougal, extended to his rear, might turn his camp, and occupy the strong grounds to which he designed to retreat, if an attempt on his lines should terminate unfortunately, General Washington changed his position in the night, and withdrew to the heights of North Castle, about five miles from the White Plains. At the same time he detached General Beal's brigade to take possession of the bridge on Croton River, which lay a few miles in his rear, and over which is the road leading up the Hudson. His present position was so strong, that an attempt to force it was deemed imprudent; and General Howe determined to change entirely his plan

*Letter of General Howe.
PP 2

of

of operations, and to give a new direction to his

efforts *.

It has been already stated, that the anxiety to preserve, if possible, the navigation of the Hudson above Kingsbridge, had induced the American General to maintain the posts of Forts Washington and Lee, on both sides that river. These posts, while held by the Americans, checked very essentially the movements of General Howe, who very justly deemed the complete possession of York Island an object of too much importance to be longer neglected. With a view to the acquisition of them, he directed General Knyphausen to cross the country from New Rochelle, and to take possession of Kingsbridge, where a small party of Americans were stationed in Fort Independence. This he effected without opposition. On his approach, the Americans retired to Fort Washington; and Knyphausen entered York Island, and encamped to the north of Fort Washington, between that place and Kingsbridge.

In the mean time, General Howe broke up his camp at the White Plains, and marched to Dobb's Ferry, from whence he retired slowly down the North River towards Kingsbridge. The American General was immediately aware of his views on Fort Washington and the Jerseys; but apprehend

ing the possibility of returning suddenly, and endeavouring by a rapid movement to execute the original plan of getting in his rear, he observed great caution, and maintained his position about the White Plains, till he was assured, by the information given by the parties detached to watch the enemy and harass him on his march, that the movement towards Kingsbridge was not a feint.

As, on the first movement of the British army towards New York, General Washington had perceived the necessity of throwing a part of his troops into New Jersey, should the design of the enemy be, as he apprehended, to change the scene of action, a council of war was immediately called. In this council it was determined unanimously, that, should General Howe continue his march towards New York, all the troops raised on the west side of the Hudson should cross that river, to be afterwards followed by the eastern troops, should the operations of the enemy render it necessary. For the preservation of the high lands about the North River, three thousand men were to be stationed at Peckskill, and in the passes of the mountains.

In a letter to Congress, communicating the present movement of the enemy, and the determination of the Council, the General said, "I cannot indulge the idea that General Howe, supposing him to be going to New York, means to close the campaign, and to sit down without attempting

something more. I think it highly probable, and almost certain, that he will make a descent, with part of his troops, into the Jerseys; and, as soon as I am satisfied that the present manœuvre is real, and not a feint, I shall use all the means in my power to forward a part of our force to counteract his designs.

"I expect the enemy will bend their force against Fort Washington, and invest it immediately, From some advices, it is an object that will attract their earliest attention."

He also addressed a letter to Mr. Livingston, the Governor of New Jersey, advising him of the movement made by the enemy; and giving it as his decided opinion, that General Howe would not content himself with investing Fort Washington, but would incontestibly invade the Jerseys. He urged him to put the militia in the best possible condition, to reinforce the continental army, and take the place of the new levies, a term designating a body of men between militia and regulars, raised under the resolution of Congress to serve till the first of December, and who could not be depended on to continue with the army one day longer than the time for which they were engaged, He also pressed very earnestly the removal, from the sea-coast and the neighbourhood of New York, of all the stock and other provisions, of which the enemy might avail himself.