The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn: Including a new and circumstantial account of the battle of Long island and the loss of New York, with a review of events to the close of the yearJohnston, Henry Phelps
History
The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn: Including a new and circumstantial account of the battle of Long island and the loss of New York, with a review of events to the close of the year
Johnston, Henry Phelps
Long Island, Battle of, New York, N.Y., 1776; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
"I have not time to describe the Disposition of our Army
perfectly to you, but you may depend that every step is
taken to prevent the enemy from outflanking us and at the
same time to secure our Retreat in case of need. The Enemy
have made no move from Frog's Point.... I don't know how it
is, but I believe their design to circumvent us this time
will prove as abortive as the former ones. If we can but
foil Genl Howe again, I think we knock him up for the
Campaign. You ask if Genl Lee is in Health and our people
feel bold? I answer both in the affirmative. His appearance
among us has not contributed a little to the latter. We are
sinking the ships as fast as possible; 200 men are daily
employed, but they take an immense quantity of stone for the
purpose."
To meet this move upon their flank and rear, the Americans were
obliged to abandon their strong camp at Harlem Heights. On the 16th,
while the British were still at Throg's Neck, Washington called a
council of war, when it was agreed that they could not keep their
communications open with the back country, if they remained where they
were and the British advanced. At the same it was voted to hold Fort
Washington. To be ready to counteract the next move of the enemy, a
part of the army was stationed at advantageous points in Westchester
County, the main camps being extended along the hills west of the
Bronx River. Both Valentine's Hill and Miles Square were occupied and
fortified.
On the 18th, Howe left Throg's Neck and transferred his army further
eastward to Pell's Point below New Rochelle. The Light Infantry
advanced from the coast, but were faced by Glover's brigade from
behind stone walls, and made to suffer some loss.[210] Glover and his
men were complimented for their conduct both by Washington and Lee.
The enemy again delayed in the vicinity of East Chester and New
Rochelle until the 22d.
[Footnote 210: In this skirmish Captain Evelyn, the British officer
who captured the patrol of American officers on Long Island, was
mortally wounded, and died soon after, much regretted. He is supposed
to have been buried in New York.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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