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. They answered with cheers. Their leader, conducting them a short distance below, till he arrived at a practicable place, forded the Bronx at their head. Having gained the opposite bank, he led them to an immediate charge upon the regiments of Ritzema and Smallwood, which he hoped to overthrow by the bayonet. The King's soldiers rushed forward with spirit, but found that access to their antagonists was impracticable from the steepness of the hill, while they underwent at the same time a destructive fire of musketry. Leslie now fell back upon the troops advancing to his support. These consisted of his two other regiments, the Fifth and Forty-ninth, which had closely followed their commander, and of the Hessian soldiers. The leading Hessian battalion and the grenadiers

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 51 had either forded the river or crossed the bridge, the moment it was rendered passable; their emulation being inflamed by the sudden advance of the British brigade. The enemy's whole force now formed and marched northerly under cover of the hill, until having gained sufficient ground, they faced to the left. Their column then became a line, parallel with the Americans. They thereupon ascended the hill; but their advance was, from time to time, checked by the troops of Ritzema and Smallwood, who contested the ground with the utmost gallantry.