“A ‘brigadier of the day’ is to remain constantly on the lines, that he may be upon the spot, and see that orders are executed.” “Skulkers must be shot down upon the spot.” “The distinction between a well-regulated army and a mob, is the good order and discipline of the former, and the licentiousness and disorderly behavior of the latter.” “The men not on duty are to be compelled to remain at, or near, their respective camps or quarters, that they may turn out at a moment’s warning; nothing being more probable than that the enemy will allow little time enough for the attack.” “Your best men should at all hazards prevent the enemy passing the woods and approaching your works.” These orders were preëminently adapted to the character of the American troops. Their neglect disconcerted the entire plan of the Commander-in-Chief for an efficient defence of the works. The American force on the Heights, including Stirling’s Brigade, which crossed over the river to Brooklyn on the day of the battle, was not quite eight thousand men; but included Atlee’s Pennsylvania Rifles, Smallwood’s Maryland and Haslet’s Delaware regiments, which then, and ever after, were among Washington’s “Invincibles.” But notwithstanding Greene’s designation of suitable outposts, and Washington’s orders, the disposition of the American advance outposts was of the feeblest kind. At the time of the first landing on the twenty-second, when Colonel Hand fell back to Prospect Hill (see map), it does not appear from any official paper, or record, that he gave notice of the landing of the second British division, or established scouts to ascertain and report subsequent British movements. Their landing, division after division, had been as impressive as it was successful, and deserves notice. Four hundred transports were escorted by ten line-of-battle ships and twenty frigates. Seventy-five flat-boats, besides batteaux and galleys, moving in ten distinct, well-ordered divisions, simultaneously touched the beach near the present site of Fort Hamilton, and landed four thousand men in just two hours, according to the Admiral’s “log-book,” after the signal reached the topmast of the “flag-ship.” Five thousand additional troops were landed with equal celerity and order, a little lower down the bay. Before twelve o’clock, fifteen thousand men, with artillery, baggage, and stores, were landed without hindrance or mishap. On the twenty-fifth, De Heister’s Hessian command landed with equal skill at Gravesend.