The other two galleys, of which the Independence was one, were fast sailers and confidently believed that they could keep ahead of their pursuers; but the wind freshened more and more, and the enemy gained so fast upon the fugitives, that soon after eleven o'clock the former began to fire at them with their bow-chasers, and at noon overreached them. This caused them to bear in shore. At half past one, escape had become impossible, and the galleys were run aground above Dobbs Ferry. The crews at first, attempted to save their arms and baggage; but a heavy cannonade soon compelled them to jump overboard and swim ashore, where they con-concealed themselves in the bushes, until driven from their hiding places, by repeated broad sides of grapeshot. The

Chapter I

BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS 9

enemy then took possession of the two galleys, and got them off. These fine vessels, were in after years of great service to the Royal commanders in their operations up the Hudson, where the Independence figured in the King's service, under the new name of Dependence. Details of these occurrences, by different expresses, were brought to Washington in the course of the afternoon. His first solicitude was for the safety of the two new ships, which had run aground near Philipse-Mills; to secure which, he instantly sent up a party of artillery, with two twelve pound-ers, and a detachment of a hundred riflemen. Later in the afternoon, when word was brought that the enemy had landed a body of troops at, or near Dobbs Ferry, he ordered General Heath to dislodge them. Heath acted upon this occasion, with his usual promptness. Without a moment's delay, he placed Colonel Sargeant, at the head of a force, consisting of five hundred infantry, forty lighthorse, two companies of artillery, having with them two twelve pounders, and a howitzer, ordering him to march im-mediately upon Dobbs Ferry, with all possible expedition, and to drive the British back to their vessels.