Every moment that passed, was expected to announce the commencement of an action between the advanced or flanking parties of the two armies ; but it did not take place. At this moment Gen. Washington, having learnt how matters stood, and that possibly Gen. Clinton might attempt to push into the Highlands, sent an express to Gen. Heath, to mcwe into the Highlands immediately, which was do/ie, just after dark, the troops passing the night on Bald Hill. It was generally of the opinion that if Gen. Heath had not been at hand to advance in the manner he did, that Gen. Clinton by a forced march of his light troops, backed by his army, would have got in the rear of Gen. Howe, before he could have possibly gained the road at Peekskill, and between his army and' a sally from the garrison of Verplanck's Point, inevitably cut off the whole. Our troops at Stoney Point cannonaded and bombarded the enemy's works at Verplanck's during the whole day, and until near midnight. The post was then evacuated, and the Washington galley was blown up.°

On the 2d of October, 1779, the enemy at Verplanck's Point, opened a number of pits about five feet deep, and from four feet over, with a sharp stake in the middle, around the outside of the abattis.b

October 21st, 1779, three deserters came in from Verplanck's Point, and reported that the enemy were on the point of evacuating their works. The officer commanding the advanced picket, soon after sent information that the works appeared to be on fire, and the shipping standing down the river. Major Waldbridge, who commanded the advanced picket, immediately sent a detachment to take possession of the works. Several loaded shells, left by the enemy in places where the fire would come to them, burst, but did no harm.