Some of them supposed that General Howe's most earnest wish was to make himself the immediate master of the whole of New York Island, and that therefore he would at once attempt the subjugation of Fort Washington and its dependencies, by a direct attack. The others attributed to him more military skill. They main-tained that he would land in Westchester, and establish him-self in the American rear, for the purpose of compelling Washington either to hazard a general action, or to abandon his fortifications. In a council of war held at this time, it was determined to guard against both these contingencies. Ten thousand men under the Commander-in-chief, were to be retained on the island, for the defense of Fort Washington, and the redoubts and lines in that vicinity; while the shores of Morrisania and Westchester Town, were to be protected by General Heath, also at the head of ten thousand men. A floating bridge was to be thrown across Harlem River in order that the two corps of the army might be enabled to communicate with, and support each other. Major-general Greene, on the Jersey side of the Hudson, was to command a flying camp, five thousand strong. These determinations were carried into effect immediately. On the 3d of October, General Heath who was apprehensive that the British might land on Throg's Neck, reconnoitered his position in that direction, accompanied by Colonel Hand of the Pennsylvania rifle corps. Throg's Neck is an island turned into a peninsula by a causeway and a bridge, and formed part of the old Borough Town of Westchester. It is upward of two miles in length and encircled by Eastchester Bay, the Sound and Westchester Creek, being separated on the west and north from the main-land by the narrow creek and by a marsh.