was welcome to a certificate for that fum. Several of 1776. the regimental furgeons had no profeffional abilities; had never seen an operation of furgery; were unlettered and ignorant to a degree scarcely to be imagined. Others were amazingly deficient in the article of profeffional apparatus. From one general return of fifteen regiments, it appeared that for fifteen furgeons and as many mates, all the inftruments (which were reported to be private property) amounted only to fix fets of amputatingtwo of trepanning-fifteen cafes of pocket inftruments -feventy-five crooked, and fix ftraight needles-four incifion knives for dilating wounds, or other purposes→→→→ and three pair of forceps for extracting bullets.

Since the evacuation of New York, the fick have fuffered very much for want of neceffaries, and have been in a miferable fituation; but it appears to have been owing greatly to untoward circumftances, hurry, confufion, and an actual want of the requifites for affording relief. The fick have amounted to many thousands, including what have been at different places; and many hundreds, if not fome thoufands, have been fwept off by various diseases. Much cenfure has been caft upon Dr. Morgan, director general of the hofpital, for the fufferings which the fick have endured, more than is due, as apprehended. The army ought to have been early provided with medicines, inftruments, and bandages, by a continental druggift, or chofen committee, before the campaign began, inftead of having them to procure afterward: and the militia which came late to the field, fhould have been provided by the different ftates, before they joined the army.

1776.

oa.

An unsuccessful attempt was made on the British outpost on Montrefor Ifland. A large party of Americans, in five flat-bottomed boats, under the command of col. Jackson, went down Haerlem river to attack it, a little after four in the morning. They had two pieces of cannon with them: the poft was guarded by about eighty men. The Brune frigate being at anchor near the island, fired at the boats in the dark, and funk one of them. The colonel landed, and a fkirmish enfued; but several of the officers and men behaved moft fcandalously; inftead of supporting him they pushed off, fo that he was obliged to retreat. He was himself wounded, and left two and twenty wounded behind. Major Thomas Henley, brother to the deputy adjutant general, an intrepid officer, was killed.

General Howe had at length ripened his plan for cutting off gen. Washington's communication with the eastern states, and enclosing him on all fides in his fastnesses on the north end of New York Ifland; which ought to have been executed a month back, by a bold and unexpected removal of the troops from Long Island in the first instance, to Rochelle or the neighbourhood.

The greater part of the army, being embarked in flat boats and other fmall craft, paffed through Hellgate, a paffage terrible in name, but no ways dangerous at the proper time of tide; entered the Sound, and 12. landed early in the morning on Frog's Neck, in West Chester county, belonging to New York, upon the fide of Connecticut. Gen. Washington's army, fit for duty, present and on command at cluded, was about 19,000. expectation of active fervice.

different pofts, militia inOfficers and men were in

The former were out

frequently in reconnoitring parties; the latter were 1776. looking out for the arrival of gen. Lee, on his way to the camp. The Americans had no intention of quitting their ground upon the ifland and the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge; but a number of regiments were fent forward to counteract the operations of the enemy. When the royal army was landed, the generals found they could not get upon the continent, by reason of the causeway's being broken down, and of works being erected to oppose them. Six days were spent here to little purpose, while a dozen other places were open, where the troops might have landed with fcarce any or no oppofition, or difficulty attending them. On the laft of thefe days the fecond divifion of foreign mercenaries arrived at New York. The fleet confifted of feventy-two fail, having on board 4000 Heffians, 1000 Waldeckers, two companies of chaffeurs or riflemen, 200 English recruits, and 2000 baggage horfes. The horse-transports were heavy failing Dutchmen. They left St. Helen's the 28th of June, were obliged to put into Plymouth the 7th of July, and failed from thence the 19th.

General Lee arrived in the American camp two days 14. after gen. Howe's landing. The troops were mightily elated with his prefence, and felt themselves ftronger by 1000 men upon the occafion; for they had great confidence in his abilities, and expected much from him, because of the fuccefs which had attended him at Charleftown. The general found that there was a prevailing inclination among the chief officers for remaining on the ifland. He ftrongly urged the abfolute neceffity of removing toward Eaft and Weft Chefter. Gen. Wash

An unfuccefsful attempt was made on the British outpost on Montrefor Ifland. A large party of Americans, in five flat-bottomed boats, under the command of col. Jackson, went down Haerlem river to attack it, a little after four in the morning. They had two pieces of cannon with them: the poft was guarded by about eighty men. The Brune frigate being at anchor near the island, fired at the boats in the dark, and funk one of them. The colonel landed, and a skirmish enfued; but several of the officers and men behaved most scandalously; inftead of supporting him they pushed off, fo that he was obliged to retreat. He was himself wounded, and left two and twenty wounded behind. Major Thomas Henley, brother to the deputy adjutant general, an intrepid officer, was killed.

General Howe had at length ripened his plan for cutting off gen. Washington's communication with the eastern ftates, and enclosing him on all fides in his faftnesses on the north end of New York Island; which ought to have been executed a month back, by a bold and unexpected removal of the troops from Long Island in the first instance, to Rochelle or the neighbourhood.

The greater part of the army, being embarked in flat boats and other fmall craft, paffed through Hellgate, a paffage terrible in name, but no ways dangerous at the proper time of tide; entered the Sound, and landed early in the morning on Frog's Neck, in West Chester county, belonging to New York, upon the fide of Connecticut. Gen. Washington's army, fit for duty, prefent and on command at different pofts, militia included, was about 19,000. Officers and men were in expectation of active fervice.

The former were out

frequently in reconnoitring parties; the latter were 1776. looking out for the arrival of gen. Lee, on his way to the camp. The Americans had no intention of quitting their ground upon the ifland and the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge; but a number of regiments were fent forward to counteract the operations of the enemy. When the royal army was landed, the generals found they could not get upon the continent, by reason of the causeway's being broken down, and of works being erected to oppose them. Six days were spent here to little purpofe, while a dozen other places were open, where the troops might have landed with fcarce any or no opposition, or difficulty attending them. On the laft of these days the fecond divifion of foreign mercenaries arrived at New York. The fleet confifted of feventy-two fail, having on board 4000 Heffians, 1000 Waldeckers, two companies of chaffeurs or riflemen, 200 English recruits, and 2000 baggage horses. The horse-transports were heavy failing Dutchmen. They left St. Helen's the 28th of June, were obliged to put into Plymouth the 7th of July, and failed from thence the 19th.

General Lee arrived in the American camp two days £4. after gen. Howe's landing. The troops were mightily elated with his prefence, and felt themselves stronger by 1000 men upon the occafion; for they had great confidence in his abilities, and expected much from him, because of the fuccefs which had attended him at Charles town. The general found that there was a prevailing inclination among the chief officers for remaining on the ifland. He ftrongly urged the abfolute neceffity of removing toward East and Weft Chefter. Gen. Wash