Besides all that, it was a constant inspiration to the American troops, and not least to the Militia, thus to distribute themselves along the extended British columns, and shoot, when they pleased, at some live target. Howe had already sent ships-of-war up the Hudson, and proposed to swing to the left at White Plains, and sweep the entire American army back upon the Harlem. When Washington learned from his scouts that the British army was thus extended along the Sound, he hurried all supplies forward to White Plains; pushed forward his own army, division by division, along the west hank of the Bronx, always on high ground; established earthworks at every prominent point, and made a small chain of communicating posts throughout the entire distance. His purpose was to crowd the British army upon the coast, where innumerable sea-inlets made progress difficult; and by using the shorter, _interior line_ to White Plains, to place himself in position to fight to advantage, upon ground of his own selection. Of course time became an element of determining value. Howe gained a start on the twelfth; but lost five days at Throgg’s Neck, and four days more at New Rochelle. As Washington already had a depot of Connecticut supplies at White Plains, he advanced to that point with vigor, so soon as he perceived that Howe would not attack from the east, as he had declined to attack from the south. On the twelfth, General Greene asked permission to join from New Jersey, and on the fourteenth General Lee reported for duty. Some reference to this officer is of immediate interest. On that very morning he had written a letter to General Gates, who, as well as himself, had seen military service in the British army, each holding commissions in the American army subordinate to Washington,—Lee, as senior Major-General. The insubordination and arrogance of this letter are patent. The following is an extract: FORT CONSTITUTION, Oct. 14, 1776. MY DEAR GENERAL GATES: I write this scroll in a hurry. Colonel Wood will describe the position of our army, which in my breast I do not approve. _Inter nos_, the Congress seems to stumble at every step. I don’t mean one or two of the cattle, but the whole stable. I have been very free in delivering my opinions, and in my opinion General Washington is much to blame in not menacing ’em with resignation, unless they refrain from unhinging the army in their absurd interference.