Howe was at the head of a regular army, which was not only in the highest state of discipline and equipment; but flushed with the victory of Long Island; he was therefore desirous of terminating the war by a pitched battle in the open field. Washington's forces were for the most part patriotic, but untrained militiamen or volunteers, capable of fighting well under cover, but unskilled in military evolutions and disheartened from recent defeat. He was de-termined therefore to act upon the defensive, and to avoid a general action, unless he should be well intrenched upon strong ground. He hoped moreover before the occurrence of a general action, to animate his men and accustom them to danger, by allowing them to engage in small enterprises and skirmishes to which they were naturally much inclined. General Howe was now anxiously desirous to possess him-self of the Hudson, as far up as the highlands. The command of the river above York Island, at all times desirable for military operations in that quarter, was at this moment rendered peculiarly important to the British general, from the well known fact that the supplies of the Continental army, were to great extent received, by way of the North River; and from his knowledge that the inhabitants of Dutch-ess and Westchester were, for the most part, in the royal interest, and from recent and certain information, that they "were actually mediating an insurrection for the purpose of seizing the posts in the Highlands." Washington was well aware of their designs, and in order to prevent or defeat any such attempt, several corps of militia from New Hampshire and Connecticut, were, a few days subsequently ordered to Fishkill and Courtland's Manor. The British commander now employed his men in throw-in up a chain of redoubts, to extend across Macgowan's Hill, from the north to the East River.