There was a valley of considerable extent between the two armies."

Washington's object in taking the position on the Hudson River near Dobb's Ferry, was to be prepared to make an attack on New York city, and also from the apprehension of that attack to induce the enemy to withdraw a large portion of his forces from the south. In this he was successful ; and thus it was that he was enabled to defeat and compel the surrender of Cornwallis, and end the war.

By Washington's Orderly Book, July 6, 1781, written at Dobb's Ferry, Washington "embraces the earliest opportunity of expressing his thanks to Count de Rochambeau for the unremitting zeal with which he has prosecuted his march in order to form the long wished-for junction between the French and American armies. An event which must afford the highest degree of pleasure to every friend of the country, and from which the happiest consequences are to be expected."

The attack upon New York depended upon a large augmentation of the American army; waiting for that, Washington, with Rochambeau made extensive reconnoisances on the west as well as the east side of the Hudson River, starting from the headquarters at Dobb's Ferry."

The strategy to induce the British army to come out of New York was various. Among other movements it was contemplated to land a large

a Heath's Mem. 295. b Heath's Mem. 2T7.

c Washingtou's Life by Washington Irving, vol. 17, p. 304, 305, 306.

THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH.