Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/472

440 which the British army was marching, and separated from it by the river Bronx. On the 26th of October, the Americans encamped on the east side of the Bronx. A bend in the river covered their right flank, and Washington posted a "body of about sixteen hundred men, under General M'Dougall, on Chatterton's hill, in a line with his right wing, but separated from it by the Bronx. Frequent skirmishes ensued, and though, on the whole, the British gained the advantage, yet it was of service to the Americans, who were thus becoming accustomed to face the enemy without apprehension. On the 28th, the British force came in view, and displayed itself on the sides of the hills in front of Washington's lines, and within two miles of his camp. Howe, having observed the detachment on Chatterton's Hill, ordered it to be dislodged, which was accomplished after a short but severe action, with about equal loss on either side. Washington certainly expected a general assault would now be made; but it was not attempted. Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief occupied the neighboring heights of North Castle, where, two or three days after, when Howe had received reinforcements, he seemed to be too strongly entrenched, to make it all safe to venture upon an assault.

General Howe now made another change in his plans. Finding that Washington was too cautious to be drawn into a general engagement, the British commander withdrew his army towards the Hudson and Kingsbridge. Perceiving clearly, that the plan of the enemy would be, to invest Fort Washington, pass the Hudson, carry the war into New Jersey, and probably push for Philadelphia, Washington made his arrangements accordingly. Leaving General Lee at the head of about four thousand men, including the New England militia, whose term of enlistment was about to expire, he ordered all the forces west of the Hudson, to make a tedious circuit, and cross the river at King's Ferry, at the entrance of the Highlands, the enemy's ships occupying the lower part of the river. He next visited the strong posts in the High lands, ordered fresh works to be thrown up, and crossing the river, joined his troops at Hackensack. Howe had already invested Fort Washington, and it was resolved to make the assault on the fort from four different points. The policy of maintaining this post had always seemed exceedingly doubtful to Washington; but it was now too late to evacuate it ; the troops could nob be got off in face of the enemy. Colonel Magaw had already been summoned to surrender, but replied, that it was his intention to defend the post to the uttermost. The evening before the attack, Washington was crossing the river to inspect the post, when he met Greene and Putnam coming over from it, who assured him, the men were in high spirits, and would make a good defence, which induced him to return with them to the camp. Greene sent over reinforcements, and early the next morning, November 16th, Colonel Magaw awaited the assault. The defence was sustained with bravery, the British having lost some four hundred men in gaining possession