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coming most dangerous, and Washington felt that it was his duty to leave the city, for if Manhattan Island were surrounded by the enemy, no escape would be possible. He caused the sick and wounded to be carefully removed, he made every preparation that was possible for their security: his own headquarters were then moved to King's Bridge. "Men-of-war were seen coming up East River from Staten Island. About eleven o'clock in the morning a heavy cannonading on the city of New York from the British commenced, and two divisions of troops, under Sir Henry Clinton and General Donop, came over from Long Island in boats and began to land." The American militia retreated ignominiously. Washington Irving thus describes the scene:

"The breastworks were manned by militia who had recently served at Brooklyn. Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at the first advance of the enemy. Two brigades of Putnam's Connecticut troops, Parsons' and Fellow's, which had been sent that morning to support them, caught the panic, and, regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers, joined in the general scamper.

"At this moment Washington, who had mounted his horse at the first sound of the cannonade, came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding in among the fugitives, he endeavoured to rally and restore them to order. All in vain; at the first appearance of sixty or seventy red-coats, they broke again, without firing a shot, and fled in headlong terror. Losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct, he dashed his hat on the ground in a transport of rage. 'Are these the men,' he cried, 'with whom I am to defend America?' In a paroxysm of passion and despair, he snapped his pistols at some of them, threatened others with his sword, and was so heedless of

his own danger that he might have fallen into the hands of the enemy, who were not eighty yards distant, had not an aide-de-camp seized the bridle of his horse, and absolutely hurried him away.

"It was one of the rare moments of his life when the vehement element of his nature was stirred up from its deep recesses. He soon recovered his self-possession, and took measures against the general peril. The enemy might land another force about Hell Gate, seize upon Harlem Heights, the strong central position of the island, cut off all retreat of the lower divisions, and effectually sever his army. In all haste, therefore, he sent off an express to the forces encamped above, directing them to secure that position immediately; while another express to Putnam ordered an immediate retreat from the city to those heights. It was, indeed, a perilous movement. Had the enemy followed up their advantage, and seized upon the heights before they were thus occupied, or had they extended themselves across the island, from the place where they had effected a landing, the result might have been most disastrous to the Americans. Fortunately they contented themselves for the present with sending a strong detachment down the road along the East River leading to the city, while the main body, British and Hessians, rested on their arms."

Putnam accomplished his move, and took up the desired position on Harlem Heights. Washington with his troops was encamped in some strong works on King's Bridge, which connected Manhattan with the mainland. In one skirmish which took place with the British, the Americans repulsed them, which raised the spirits of the commander; and after this there was a cessation in the hostilities for some few weeks, which much astonished Washington, but which

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gave him time to make representations to Congress of the inefficient state of the army, and to have it put on a better footing before the re-enlistment, which was rapidly drawing near. The only event which seemed of importance during this pause, was the burning of a large part of New York. This was said to be the work of incendiaries, and they were caught and hanged by the British, who were in possession of the place.

At last General Lee joined the main part of the army, and, by his strong advice, the camp was moved from Harlem and King's Bridge, where there was still the chance of being surrounded and cut off by the enemy, to White Plains, which was farther north, on the mainland. Fort Washington on Manhattan Island was strongly manned, as was also Fort Lee, which was on the mainland, exactly opposite, and admirably situated for the defence of Fort Washington. All else was removed. At White Plains, Washington was encamped on high ground facing the east; but when General Lee joined him they rode out together to discuss a better site for the encampment. Lee pointed to a height on the north. "Yonder," said he, "is the ground we ought to occupy." "Let us go, then, and view it,” replied Washington. They were gently riding in that direction when a trooper came spurring up with his panting horse. "The British are in the camp, sir!" he cried. "Then, gentlemen," said Washington, "we have other business to attend to than reconnoitring." Putting spurs to his horse, he set off for the camp at full gallop, the others spurring after him.

Arrived at headquarters, he was informed by AdjutantGeneral Reed that the picket-guards had all been driven in, and the enemy were advancing, but that the whole American

I

army was posted in order of battle. "Gentlemen," said Washington, turning calmly to his companions, "you will return to your respective posts, and do the best you can."

There was a short and sharp fight, in which the British again gained the day, and the possession of an eligible height, called Chatterton's Hill; but the Americans pleased their commander by fighting bravely in many instances, and making a better stand than they had done for some time previously. Washington passed the night in strengthening his position; his works looked quite formidable in the morning light. "They were, in fact, made of the stalks of Indian corn, or maize, taken from a neighbouring corn-field, and pulled up with the earth clinging in masses to the large roots. The roots of the stalks, and earth on them, placed on the works, answered the purpose of sods and fascines. The tops being placed inwards, as the loose earth was thrown upon them, became as so many trees to the work, which was carried up with a dispatch scarcely conceivable."

The English were evidently preparing for another attack. On the night of the 31st Washington moved all his troops about five miles off, to Northcastle; and on the 2nd of November the British troops were entirely removed from White Plains. What General Howe's intention was, Washington could not gather, but he imagined that it was to enter the Jersey States. He had meanwhile written to General Greene, advising him to withdraw all men and stores from Fort Washington, as the distance between it and the main body of the army rendered its safety a matter of great doubt. He left it, however, to General Greene to decide upon the wisdom of this scheme, and General Greene decided against it. On the 12th of November Washington moved his army over the Hudson to the Jersey States, to the camp at Haven