Such however was the rapidity with which the King's troops retreated from the Saug-atuck, that toward five o'clock in the afternoon and before the Americans could overtake them, they reached the high grounds, which they had occupied on their first landing. The van of the royal forces commenced an immediate re-embarkation. The centre and rear faced about and formed upon Compo Hill. The American artillery-men under Lieu-tenant-colonel Oswald were now ordered to Compo rocks a position that commanded a view of the hostile squadron. There they continued firing upon the boats engaged in taking off the enemy, until that operation was completed. Chafed to see the invaders preparing to elude his grasp, Arnold with all the ardor that belonged to his fiery tempera-ment, was now engaged in the formation of two columns of attack. One was to be led by himself against the enemy on the northwestern part of Compo Hill, while the other was to be conducted by Silliman against its northern extremity. By this united attack, he hoped to overthrow the British general, before he should have had time to finish his re-embarkation. During the afternoon of the 27th there appeared upon the scene of action Colonel John Lamb of the artillery and Colonel Hugh Hughes Deputy-quarter-master-general. These were two Continental officers, who had seen service. Having heard of the invasion, they had hastened forward on horse- back from a distant part of Connecticut, to join the American forces. On their way they were overtaken by others who were bound for the same theatre with similar determinations. Al- though assisted by guides, such was the prevailing confusion,