1776. North River (which we have just received advice of) is fo plain a proof of the inefficacy of all the obftructions we have thrown into it, that I cannot but think it will fully justify a change in the difpofition which has been made. If we cannot prevent veffels paffing up, and the enemy are poffeffed of the furrounding country, what valuable purpofe can it answer, to attempt to hold a poft from which the expected benefit cannot be had?: I am therefore inclined to think it will not be prudent to hazard the men and ftores at Mount Washington; but as you are on the spot, leave it to you to give fuch orders as to evacuating Mount Washington, as you judge best, and so far revoking the order given to col. Magaw to defend it to the laft. The beft accounts from the enemy affure us of a confiderable movement among their boats the laft evening; and fo far as can be collected from the various fources of intelligence, they must defign a penetration into Jerfey, and fall down upon your poft. You will therefore immediately have all the ftores, &c. removed, (from your post) which you do not deem neceffary for your defence; and as the enemy have drawn great relief, from the forage and provifion they have found in the country, and which our tendernefs fpared, you will do well to prevent their receiving any fresh fupplies there, by deftroying it, if the inhabitants will not drive off their ftock, and remove the hay, grain, &c. in time. Experience has fhown, that a contrary conduct is not of the leaft advantage to the poor inhabitants, from whom all their effects of every kind are taken without diftinction, and without the least fatisfaction. Troops are filing off from hence as faft as our circumstances and fituation will admit, in order to 1776. be transported over the river with all expedition.". The next day, gen. Greene anfwered.: "Sir,-Upon the whole I cannot help thinking the garrifon (at Fort Washington) is of advantage; and I cannot conceive it to be in any great danger; the men can be brought off at any time; but the ftores may not be fo eafily removed; yet I think they can be got off in fpite of the enemy, if matters grow defperate. This poft is of no importance only in conjunction with Mount Washington. I was over there the laft evening, and the enemy seem to be difpofing matters to besiege the place; but col. Magaw thinks it will take them till December expires before they can carry it. If the enemy do not find it an object of importance, they will not trouble themfelves about it: if they do, it is a full proof they feel an injury from our poffeffing it. Our giving it. up will: open a free communication with the country by the way of Kingsbridge; that must be a great advantage to them and injury to us." Within a few days, gen. Washington croffed the North Nor. River with part of his army, and stationed himself in the 12. neighbourhood of Fort Lee. The troops left at North Castle under gen. Lee, were 7500 ftrong, including the 14 3000 militia of gen. Lincoln's divifion (whofe time of fervice ended on the 17th) and 1700 of gen. Fellows's bri-; gade (whose service ended on the 1ft of Dec.) As the dif folution of the army was approaching apace with the end of the year, gen. Washington applied to the Maffachufetts for 4000 new militia. Gen. Lee addreffed the old 16. under Lincoln, and conjured. the officers and foldiers, as they regarded the facred caufe in which they were 1776. engaged, to continue in their prefent pofts a few days longer, till Thursday at the most, affuring them it was of the laft importance. But they were not to be prevailed upon, though their own commander urged a compliance to the utmost of his power. All except gen. Lincoln, and about 150 privates, went off the next day. Mean while the royal army approached Fort Washington, and on the 15th gen. Howe fummoned the commanding officer to furrender, who answered, that he would defend himself to the last extremity, Gen. Washington receiving an account of the fummons at Hackinfack, immediately repaired to Fort Lee, and had partly croffed the North River, when he met gens. Putnam and Greene, who were just returning from thence, and informed him, that the troops were in high spirits, and would make a good defence; it being late at night, he returned. Now was the moment for withdrawing the garrifon, and one would think, that as the attack was fixed for the next day, gen. Howe designed by the fummons, that it should be taken off the approaching night, and wished by that mean to fave the men that he would otherwife lofe. But defence had been concluded upon, Nov. The royal army therefore make four attacks upon the 16. fort the next morning. While they are advancing, gens, Washington, Putnam and Greene, and col, Knox, with their aids, having croffed the river, are making up to it. Some one or other perceiving the danger of their being foon shut in, urges their returning inftantly. The commander in chief is hardly perfuaded, and complies with reluctance; but the company infift upon it, and prevail. The first attack, on the north fide, is conducted by gen. Knyphausen, at the head of two columns of Heffians and Waldeckers. The fecond, on the east 1776. The Heffians under gen. Knyphaufen, have a thick wood to pafs, where col. Rawlings's regiment of riflemen are posted: a warm engagement commences, and is continued for a confiderable time, in which the former are much exposed, and lofe in killed and wounded near upon 800 men by that fingle regiment. Mean while the. light infantry land; and are expofed, as before landing, to a very brisk and continual fire from the enemy, who are covered by the rocks and trees among which they are pofted. The former however, extricate themfelves by clambering up a very steep and rough moun-. tain, when they foon difperfe the enemy, and make way. for the landing of the reft of the troops without oppofition. Lord Percy having carried an advanced work on his fide, col. Sterling is ordered to attempt a land-, ing with the forty-second regiment, upon the left of the enemy's lines toward New York; and two battalions of the second brigade are directed to fupport him. He advances his boats through a heavy fire; and forcing. 1776. engaged, to continue in their prefent pofts a few days longer, till Thursday at the moft, affuring them it was of the last importance. But they were not to be prevailed upon, though their own commander urged a compliance to the utmost of his power. All except gen. Lincoln, and about 150 privates, went off the next day. Mean while the royal army approached Fort Washington, and on the 15th gen. Howe fummoned the commanding officer to furrender, who answered, that he would defend himself to the last extremity, Gen. Washington receiving an account of the fummons at Hackinfack, immediately repaired to Fort Lee, and had partly croffed the North River, when he met gens. Putnam and Greene, who were just returning from thence, and informed him, that the troops were in high spirits, and would make a good defence; it being late at night, he returned. Now was the moment for withdrawing the garrison, and one would think, that as the attack was fixed for the next day, gen. Howe designed by the fummons, that it should be taken off the approaching night, and wished by that mean to fave the men that he would otherwife lofe. But defence had been concluded upon, The royal army therefore make four attacks fort the next morning. While they are advancing, gens, Washington, Putnam and Greene, and col. Knox, with their aids, having croffed the river, are making up to it. Some one or other perceiving the danger of their being foon shut in, urges their returning inftantly. The commander in chief is hardly perfuaded, and complies with reluctance; but the company infift upon it, and prevail. The first attack, on the north fide, is conducted by gen. Knyphaufen, at the head of two columns Nov. 16, upon the |