The Americans stood firmly upon the defensive, until the arrival of reinforcements from General Heath. This prudent and sagacious commander, when he heard of the hostile landing, immediately ordered Colonel Prescott of Bunker Hill celebrity, with his regiment, and Captain-lieu-tenant Bryant of the artillery, with a three pounder, to strengthen Colonel Hand at the causeway; while Colonel Graham of the New York line, with his regiment, and Lieu-tenant Jackson of the artillery with a six pounder, were at the same time directed to support the other detachment. Colonel Graham arrived before any advantage was gained by the enemy, and drove them back. Disappointed in not se-curing a passage to the main, the British commander now prepared to encamp on the Neck. Other troops disembarked, and joined him in the afternoon. While the riflemen and yagers were engaged in picking each other off by firing across the creek and marsh, the American and the British general, each threw up a work at his own end of the causeway. When a good object offered, Bryant and Jackson saluted the enemy with their field pieces. Howe was deeply mortified when he discovered that he had landed upon an island, and was unable to operate against the American army. Some of his own officers, at this time, in their letters home, amused themselves at his expense, by writing the most ridiculous accounts of his insular position. Losing his usual courtesy in the surrounding perplexities, he himself sent for his principal guide and addressed him to this effect: "Mr. P. It was by your advice that I came to his place. You must find some way of getting me on the mainland, and that, too, speedily. There are some reasons for supposing that you have aced treacherously, and if they prove correct, my provost-marshal shall do his duty." Washington was upon the spot with reinforcements soon after Howe landed, and at once ordered additional works to be thrown up at all places where the creek and marsh might be crossed at low water.