Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/471

] raised. The troops which engaged to serve throughout the war, were to receive a bounty of twenty dollars and a hundred acres of land, besides a yearly suit of clothes while in service. Those who enlisted for but three years, received no bounty in land. The bounty to officers was on a higher ratio. The states were to send commissioners to the army, to arrange with the commander-in-chief, as to the appointment of officers in their quotas; but, as they might occasionally be slow in complying with this regulation, Washington was empowered to fill up vacancies.

While engaged in the arduous duties of his post connected with the reorganization of the army, Washington was not unmindful of the powerful enemy who lay near his encampment. Greatly perplexed at the inactivity of Howe, whose troops were in a first rate condition, and well supplied with all that they needed, Washington looked anxiously to see what movements were being made against him. Howe had already determined upon a change of plans. He sent some ships of war up the Hudson, which, in spite of the American batteries, succeeded in forcing a passage, thus, to some extent, intercepting the communication, and preventing supplies from reaching Washington by the river. Leaving behind him a force to cover New York, he transferred the rest of his army to Pell's Point, on Long Island Sound, and took up a position on the neighboring heights of New Rochelle. Hence, having received a strong reinforcement of Hessians and Waldeckers, under General Knyphausen, he threatened a movement in the rear of Washington, so as to cut him off from all communication eithei by land or water, or compel him to a general action. A council of war was now called, when, to defeat this plan, it was resolved to evacuate York Island, and advance into the interior. The question arose, whether a garrison should be left behind in Fort Washington, a measure which seemed of little use, inasmuch as the British had obtained the command of the river. Washington and Lee were opposed to this plan, but it was strenuously urged by Greene, who considered the fort to be sufficiently strong to resist an attack from the enemy. It was supposed, too, that the besieged would always be able to escape, if needful, by crossing the river; and a garrison of about three thousand men was accordingly left in the fort, under the command of Colonel Magaw. Congress expressed their opinion, likewise, "that Fort Washington should be retained as long as possible."

Washington finding it necessary to retire before the enemy, did so in the best manner he was able; the great deficiency, however, in every description and means of transportation, made it a very laborious and tedious operation. He gradually moved to White Plains, maintaining a line parallel to that in