The dangerous vicinity of the British army now placed Washington more than ever upon the alert. During the night, he sent General Putnam, with eight regiments and dis-cretionary powers of action, against the enemy at Scarsdale. The veteran general hoped, by a silent and rapid march, to surprise the right of the Royal forces; but unfortunately, while yet at a distance from them, he fell in with one of their patrols, which gave the alarm and rendered an attack in-expedient.

Chapter I

BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS 31

Sir William Howe's intentions became every day more apparent. He moved his army directly forward in large columns, scarcely ever detaching parties upon lateral expedi-tions, however near or promising the objects might be. He persisted to the last in reserving his strength for a pitched battle; and even allowed General Lee to encamp in his neigh-borhood and retreat unmolested along his front; although that officer's position was a full day's march distant from Washington's camp, and bad in other respects. The ground left vacant by the removal of General Lee's army was soon traversed by the enemy. A captain, with a company of soldiers, was in charge of the provisions that had been left behind. About noon on the 26th, this officer was surprised by a detachment of the King's troops, consisting of one hundred dragoons and about as many infantry; and was compelled to abandon the stores and retire to Fort Independence. The dragoons followed him a short distance, but he escaped by taking to the woods. After this, the enemy continued their march to the North River, and took posses-sion of Philipse Manor House. Early on the ensuing morning, the British detachment re-turned to the left wing of their main army. During the course of their march, they encountered several American scouting parties, which the horsemen charged, or pursued with loud shouts and brandished swords.