It soon became apparent that the British commander-in-chief, fear-ful for the safety of his left flank, would not venture to attack the American lines in front until he should have obtained pos-session of Chatterton Hill. Upon the highest grounds which extend along the eastern margin of the Bronx toward the southern extremity of Whiteplains, twelve or fifteen pieces of cannon, were at once placed in battery, and an incessant fire upon General McDougall's force on the hill shortly after-ward commenced, preparatory to the attack which ensued. By this time the main body of the British army had formed behind some rising grounds and patches of wood, nearly

48 THE MCDONALD PAPERS parallel with, and at the distance of about a mile, from the American lines. In this position, the right wing of the Brit-ish did not extend far beyond the American centre while their left stretched out in the direction of the Bronx. Sir William Howe now prepared to make himself master of Chatterton Hill. He gave orders for a battalion of Hes-sians to pass the Bronx and commence the attack of General McDougall's detachment. This movement was supported by the second brigade of British under Brigadier-general Leslie, and by the Hessian grenadiers under Colonel Donop. Direc-tions at the same time were given for Colonel Rahl to charge the right flank of the Americans with his whole force, after the Hessians and British should have advanced upon them in front. To give decisive effect to their operations, Lieutenant-colonel Birch with the Seventeenth regiment of light drag-oons was placed under the command of Rahl. It was about noon when the British demonstration against Chatterton Hill began. General Howe's whole army moved a short distance toward the Bronx. Soon after, the troops which had been selected for the attack marched rapidly for-ward.