the same number of muskets, with several CHAP. VIII. blankets were brought off. The loss of the 1776. Americans was only two killed, and eight or ten wounded: among the latter was major Green of Virginia, a very brave officer, who led the advanced party, and who received a ball through his body.

Not long afterwards a regiment of Pennsylvania riflemen, under colonel Hand, fell in with and engaged about an equal number of Hessian chasseurs, over whom they obtained some advantage.

The caution of the English general was increased by these evidences of enterprise in his adversary. His object seems to have been to avoid skirmishing, and to bring on a general action, if that could be effected under favourable circumstances; if not, he knew well the approaching dissolution of the American army, and calculated, not without reason, to derive from that event nearly all the advantages of a victory. He proceeded therefore slowly. His marches were in close order, his encampments compact, and well guarded with artillery; and the utmost circumspection was used not to expose any part which might be vulnerable."

As the sick and baggage reached a place of safety, general Washington gradually drew in his out posts, and took possession of the heights October 25.

Annual Register.

CHAP. VIII. on the east side of the Brunx fronting the head 1776. of the enemy's columns. The next day he was October 26. joined by general Lee, who, with very considerable address, had brought up the rear division, after the sick and the whole baggage of the army had been secured; an operation the more difficult, as the deficiency of teams was very great, in consequence of which a large portion of the labour usually performed by horses, or oxen, devolved on men.

General Washington was encamped on high broken grounds with his right flank covered by the Brunx, which meandered so as also to cover the front of his right wing which extended along the road leading down on the east side of that river, towards New Rochelle as far as the brow of the hill where his centre was posted. His left, which formed almost a right angle with his centre, and was nearly parallel to his right, extended along the hills northwardly, so as to keep possession of the commanding ground, and secure a retreat should it be necessary, from his present position, to one still more advantageous in his rear.

On the right of the army, and on the west side of the Brunx, about one mile from camp, on the road leading from the North river, was a hill, of which general M'Dougal was ordered to take possession, for the purpose of covering the right flank. His detachment consisted of about sixteen hundred men, principally militia,

and his communication with the main army was CHAP. VIII. perfectly open, that part of the river being 1776. every where passable without any difficulty.

Hasty intrenchments were thrown up to strengthen, as much as time would admit, every part of the lines; and make them as defensible as possible.

White Plains.

The enemy, who had advanced from New Rochelle and Mamaraneck, and were within seven or eight miles of the White Plains, now October 28. made arrangements to attack general Washing- Battle of the ton in his camp. Early in the morning they advanced in two columns, the right commanded by sir Henry Clinton, and the left by general Knyphausen, accompanied by general Howe in person. Their advanced parties having encountered, and driven in the patrols they fell in with on the march, their van appeared, about ten o'clock, in full view of the American lines, and a cannonade commenced without much execution on either side.

The right of the enemy formed behind a rising ground about a mile in front of the camp, and extended from the road leading from Mamaraneck towards the Brunx, so that it was opposed to the centre of the American army.

On viewing general Washington's situation, general Howe determined to possess himself of the hill occupied by M'Dougal, which he considered as important to the success of an

CHAP. VIII. attack on the centre and right of the American
1776. camp. He therefore directed colonel Rawle

with a brigade of Hessians which he com-
manded, to cross the Brunx and make a cir-
cuit so as to gain a position from which he
might annoy the right flank of general
M'Dougal, while brigadier general Leslie with
the second brigade of British troops, the Hes-
sian grenadiers under colonel Donop, and a
Hessian battalion, should attack him in front.
When colonel Rawle had gained the position
he had been ordered to take, the detachment
under the command of general Leslie also
crossed the Brunx, and commenced a very
vigorous attack on the Americans." The
militia immediately fled, but the attack was
sustained by the regulars with great gallantry.
Colonel Smallwood's regiment of Maryland,
and colonel Reitzimar's of New York, advanced
boldly towards the foot of the hill to meet them;
but after a sharp encounter, those regiments
were overpowered by numbers and compelled
to retreat. The enemy advanced with great
resolution on the remaining part of M'Dougal's
forces, consisting of his own brigade, the
Delaware battalion, and a small regiment of
Connecticut militia, who were soon driven
from the hill, but who kept up for some time
an irregular engagement from the stone walls,

r General Howe's letter.

1776.

and other enclosures about the scene of action. CHAP. VIII. 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 ground. Perceiving this, and being unwilling