McDougall from Peekskill, at the head of twelve hundred men, and a field piece, had already reached the borders of the State and was pressing rapidly forward toward the scene of conflict, from which he was distant but a few miles. Small bands of volunteers were constantly coming in, and the Americans were not only augmenting in number, and increas-ing in confidence, but were commanded by one of the most active and daring generals of the age. Nothing but superior ability and good fortune sufficed to extricate the invaders, from their perilous situation. Luckily for them, Sir William Erskine, who now commanded, had foreseen the exigency. By his advice all the marines from the vessels of war, had been landed and united to such of the soldiers as were the least fatigued. Four hundred of these last had previously been selected from the ranks. Out of the soldiers and marines he formed two columns of attack, unequal in size, sending for- ward the smaller one to take Silliman in flank. He thereupon instantly put the larger one in motion and led it to the charge in person, against the volunteers upon the hillside. Colonel Lamb, sword in hand, was at this time upon the wall, at the head of his men whom he was cheering forward. They, too, were in the act of following him across the fence, when he was struck by a grape shot. Dangerously wounded in the body, he fell on the northwesterly side of the enclos-ure. The volunteers who had hitherto pressed forward with intrepidity, now paused in discouragement, from the mis-hap of their commanding officer, but again took post behind the wall and renewed their fire. Arnold's column was com-ing up to their support, and all they wanted was a leader in whom they reposed confidence.