This suggestion was also complied with, and the Maryland and the Third New York regiment were ordered forward. The Columns under Leslie and Donop were now perceived rapidly approaching the Bronx. "On my seeing," says Haslet, "the enemy's march to the creek begin in a column of their main body, and urging the necessity of bringing our field pieces immediately forward to bear on them, the general ordered one, and that so poorly appointed, that myself was forced to assist in dragging it

50 THE MCDONALD PAPERS along the rear of the regiment. While so employed, a cannon-ball struck the carriage, and scattered the shot about, a wad of tow blazing in the middle. The artillery-men fled. One alone was prevailed on the treat out the blaze and collect the shot. The few that returned made not more than two discharges, when they retreated with the field-piece." This piece of cannon, the only one made use of by the Americans upon Chatterton Hill, is said to have been com-manded by Captain Alexander Hamilton of the New York artillery, in after years, a general under Washington and a statesman of celebrity. Smallwood and Ritzema in the meanwhile had descended more than half way down the hill and commenced a vigor-ous attack upon the Hessians, while these were engaged in the construction of their bridge. The leading battalion of the enemy sustained a severe loss while halting upon the eastern bank of the stream; and some of the workmen at the bridge, killed or wounded, were seen falling headlong into the river. The Hessians for a sort time were in extreme disorder. General Leslie, fearful of the consequences, listened to the suggestion of his guide who offered to show him an easy ford, further down the stream. Turning to the first two support-ing British regiments, the Twenty-eighth and Thirty-fifth, and appealing in a few words to their nationality, courage, and loyalty, Leslie bade them follow him.