Chapter II BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. The camp with General Washington fortified at White-plains in the month of October, 1776, was situate upon the elevated grounds at or near the northern extremity of the vil-lage. It was defended by two lines of intrenchments nearly parallel to each other, about four hundred yards apart, and extending in a direction nearly northeast and southwest. At the spot where the works crossed the broad street of the vil-lage, a regular redoubt had been laid out. This however was not yet constructed. The right wing, covered by intrench-ments and commanded by Major-general Putnam, extended along the side of Purdy Hill, north of the road leading to Dobb's Ferry; and rested on the Bronx. The left wing under Major-general Heath stretched along Hatfield Hill, north of the road leading to Connecticut, till it approached a decliv-ity inaccessible to an enemy and at the foot of which was Horton's millpond of nearly a mile in length. Washington himself took post in the centre. Safely established in their new encampment, the American soldiers enjoyed a firm persuasion of their security. Awaiting the enemy's attack, they hoped by a general battle at this place, to decide the war. Different skirmishes, for the most part successful, had restored that self-confidence of which they had been deprived, after the retreat from Long Island. Their commander, however, saw clearly the defects and dan-ger of his situation. He was alone withheld from falling back upon the strong grounds in his rear, by the difficulties he encountered in the transportation of his sick and wounded and military stores. Still, he determined to hazard a general engagement here, if pressed by the enemy. He was engaged, meanwhile, in searching out a more secure position, and