unspent stores will also be preserved; and, in this case, the heavy artillery can also be secured."

In the full expectation that a retreat from York Island would soon become necessary, the general assiduously continued the removal of the stores and heavy beggage to a place of safety.

SEPT. 12.] The general officers became alarmed at the danger of the army, and, in a second council, determined to remove it from New York.

On the fourteenth, several ships passed up the East river, and large bodies of troops were moved to Montezore's Island with the apparent intention to land, either upon the continent above King'sbridge, and wholly to inclose the Americans, or upon the plains of Haerlem on York Island, to break the line of communication between the different divisions of their army, and attack them in situations, in which they would be unable to support each other. The next morning General Clinton landed under cover of five men of war, with four thousand men, three miles above the city of New York.

SEPT. 14.] The American lines at this place were capable of defence, but the men posted in them, on the firing of the ships, without waiting for the attack of the enemy, abandoned them. As soon as the cannonading began, two brigades were detached from the main body to support the troops in the breast works, the fugitives communicated to them their panic, and General Washington, in

H

riding to the scene of action, met his troops retreating in the utmost confusion, disregarding the ef-forts of their generals to stop them. While the Commander in Chief was, with some effect exert-ing himself to rally them, a very small body of the enemy appeared in sight, on which the men again broke, and a most dastardly route ensued. At this unfortunate moment, and only at this moment through his whole life, General Washington appears to have lost his fortitude. All the shameful, and disastrous consequences of the defection of his army, rushed upon his mind, and bore down his spirits. In a paroxism of despair, he turned his horse towards the enemy, seemingly with the intention to avoid the disgrace of the day by the sacrifice of his life: His aids seized the horse's bridle, and, with friendly violence, rescued him from the destruction that awaited him.

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In consequence of the failure of the troops upon the lines, the evacuation of New York was necessarily made in haste. In was happily accomplished with the loss of very few men; but most of the heavy artillery, many of the tents, and, a great part of the stores, which had not been previously removed, were unavoidably left behind.

The American army having been driven from New York, the British general stationed a detachment to guard the city; and posted his main army in front of the American lines on the north end of York Island. Their right extended to the East, and their left to the North river; and both their

flanks were covered by ships of war.

The Island

at Bloomingdale, the place of the British encampment, is two miles wide.

The strongest post of the Americans was at King's-bridge, which secured their communication with the country. M'Gowan's pass, and Morn's heights were also rendered defensible; and within a mile and an half of the enemy, a detachment was posted in a fortified camp, on the heights of Haerlem.

The Commander in Chief was pleased with this disposition of his army; he thought it must lead to those frequent skirmishes, which would insensibly wear off the depression occasioned by the late defeat, and restore to his men confidence in themselves. He indulged the hope that by these services, the discipline would be introduced into the army, absolutely necessary to successful war, when every individual does his appropriate duty, confiding for his security in the skill of his general, and in the united efforts of his fellow soldiers.

SEPT. 16.] The very day after the retreat from the city, a party of the enemy appeared in the plain between the two hostile camps. The General rode to the outpost to embrace the opportunity to attack them. Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton, of Connecticut, a brave officer, who had been skirmishing with the party, stated their number at three hundred. The General detached Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch, of Virginia, to gain their rear, while he occupied their attention by movements indicating a design to attack them in

front. Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch, after leading their corps into action in a most soldier like manner, were both soon brought off the field mortally wounded; yet the men under their captains, bravely continued the attack, and drove an enemy, superior in numbers, from their position. The Americans had fifty men killed and wounded, and the British twice that number.

This skirmish, trifling in itself, was improved to valuable purposes. The Commander in Chief in general orders, applauded the bravery of officers and men; contrasted it with the cowardly behaviour of the troops the day before; called upon the whole army to emulate this honourable example; and from the issue of this conflict, pointed out what brave men might effect, when fighting in the best of causes. The parole next day was Leitch. In filling the vacancy occasioned by the death of the colonel, the General mentioned, that the officer succeeded "the gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, who would have been an honour to any country, and who had fallen gloriously fighting at his post." The success of this rencounter had a general effect upon the spirits of the army.

In addition to the arduous duties of this campaign, which were sufficient to employ the time, and test the talents of the greatest military character; the state of the army furnished a weighty subject of attention to General Washington. He dwelt upon the gloomy prospects of the succeeding winter. The clothing of the men was suited only to the warm season, and their time of inlistment expired with the year. The consequent dis

tresses in all their magnitude, rose to his mind, and in the following letter, he endeavoured to impress Congress with a lively sense of the situation of the army; and to call forth their highest endeavours to arrest the approaching evils.

"From the hours allotted to sleep, I will borrow a few moments to convey my thoughts, on sundry important matters, to Congress. I shall offer them with the sincerity which ought to characterize a man of candour; and with the freedom which may be used in giving useful information, without incurring the imputation of presumption.

"We are now, as it were, upon the eve of another dissolution of our army. The remembrance of the difficulties which happened upon that occasion last year; the consequences which might have followed the change, if proper advantage had been taken by the enemy; added to a knowledge of the present temper and situation of the troops, reflect but a very gloomy prospect upon the appearance of things now, and satisfy me, beyond the possibility of doubt, that unless some speedy and effectual measures are adopted by Congress, our cause will be lost.

"It is in vain to expect that any, or more than a trifling part, of this army will engage again in the service, on the encouragement offered by Congress. When men find that their townsmen and companions are receiving twenty, thirty, and more dollars, for a few months' service (which is truly the case) this cannot be expected without using compulsion; and to force them into the