Five days previously, this body passed a resolution desiring General Washington, "by every art and at whatever expense, to obstruct effectually the navigation of the river, between Fort Washington and Mount Constitution, as well to prevent the regress of the enemy's frigates lately gone up, as to hinder them from receiving succor." The main body of the American army, now prepared to quit New York Island, the opinion of the Council of War, being almost unanimous in favor of the measure. Washing-ton's forces were thereupon formed into four divisions, under the command, respectively of Major-generals Lee, Heath, Sullivan and Lincoln. "This last," says Sparks, "was not a Continental officer, but had recently come forward with a body of Massachusetts militia." The strategy, which Washington now adopted, to counter-act the British commander, was to conduct his army slowly, in a northerly direction, along the high grounds on the west bank of the river Bronx, always keeping in advance of his antagonist and constantly facing him as he moved on the eastern side. The Bronx, although narrow, is generally a deep stream, and ran for the most part through forests, at

Chapter I

14 THE MCDONALD PAPERS

the feet of a long succession of ridges. Wherever it was crossed by bridges, or where the fords were easy, the passage was commanded by breast works and redoubts, constructed for the purpose. Thus, in a short time, as it moved along, the American army formed a chain of fortified posts, which extended along the high grounds, on the west side of the Bronx, from the vicinity of Kingsbridge, to the village of White-plains, a distance of about thirteen miles. Strong detach-ments constantly patrolled in the immediate neighborhood of the Royal forces, and outguards were sometimes established on the eastern side of the Bronx. These dispositions on the part of General Washington, have perhaps never been sur-passed in skill.