It was not until this moment that his rear-guard passed into the encampment, behind the troops on the hill, but in full view of the enemy. McDougall's brigade consisted of five regiments; that is to say, the remains of the First and third New York regiments under Colonel Ritzema, Smallwood's Marylanders, Webb's levies from Connecticut, and Brooks' Militia of Massachusetts. These regiments had been so materially reduced from the combined effects of hard service, sickness, and casualties, that the aggregate forces under McDougall on Chatterton Hill, including the Delawareans and Putnam's militia, did not much exceed sixteen hundred men. In addition to these, Spencer's Connecticut levies were in the fields further south, upon the right; but McDougall appeared to have been igno-rant of their situation and numbers, and in fact, they were there accidentally. McDougall now put his forces in battle array. Brook's and Putnam's militia were ordered to take post upon the right, toward the southern slope of the hill, behind a stone wall, supported by the Delawareans under Haslet. The Marylanders, new Yorkers and the regiment of Connecticut levies were formed as the centre and left; Webb being upon the extreme left and Smallwood upon the right centre. McDougall's post was strong, and, under adverse circumstances afforded a secure retreat. His com-munication with the main army was perfectly open; two bridges crossing the Bronx in his rear and that river being in most places fordable.

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 47 As the British forces now came within sight of the village of Whiteplains, they were cannonaded from the American lines. The Royal artillery-men thereupon, from time to time halted, unlimbered, and returned the hostile fire. This was continued a short time, but without much effect on either side. Soon after ten o'clock, the whole body of the enemy appeared in full view from the American camps and from Chatterton Hill, dividing, as they made their approach, from two, into eight columns.