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

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 41 hoped to derive the time requisite for that purpose from the tardy movements of the British general. The ground occupied by the left wing of the American army was so broken, so difficult to be assailed, and furnished so secure a retreat, that military works for its protection were scarcely necessary. Some slight defenses, only, were thrown up there, as a cover for musketry. The extremity of this wing, however, extended along a deep hollow, through which ran a small brook from the millpond above. East of this valley rose a very commanding height called Merritt's Hill, from which a part of General Heath's position might be enfiladed. The summit and southeasterly portion of this high ground was covered with wood. To this hill, Heath ordered Colonel Malcolm, with his regiment of New York infantry, and Lieutenant Fenno of the artillery, with a field-piece. These officers were directed to take post at the south brow of the hill and mask themselves in the skirts of the wood. The weakest part of the American position was the centre which stood upon a gentle elevation. The slope of the hill in front, along the village road which ran from the Court House in a northwesterly direction, was gentle and very gradual.