His adroit movement at the commencement of his retreat induced the enemy to pursue so far in a false direction that they were unable to come up with him. Simcoe, the redoubtable com-mander of the Queen's rangers, lay at this time on the high grounds near Fordham church, and expressed great indigna-tion when he found that Armand's horse had approached his very pickets. He made immediate preparations to attack the French colonel in his quarters, but before he could mature a project for the purpose, positive orders from the British commander-in-chief, compelled him, reluctantly to go into winter quarters at Jerico on Long-Island. In the beginning of 1779, Armand was authorized to recruit in the different states, and the restriction which had con- fined his enlistments to foreigners was removed. During the winter and spring of this year his corps was completed and prepared for the coming campaign, for the most part in New

MARQUIS DE LA ROUËRIE 21

York and Massachusetts; and about the middle of June, when general Heath received orders to join the main army, pre-paratory to taking command of the troops on the east bank of the Hudson, the cavalry of the legion escorted him from Springfield to New Windsor. The whole corps, soon after-ward, re-crossed the north river, and encamped for some time in Lower Salem, under general Robert Howe, being engaged, along with Glover's brigade, and Moylan's and Sheldon's horse, in shielding the country from the enemy's depredations; after which they again took post a short distance above Tarry-town to watch the British vessels and prevent intercourse with the shore. This service, for several reasons, the commander of the legion was now enabled to perform with much greater success than before. His force amounted to almost two hun-dred men, a numerical strength which it probably never after- ward attained--about one third consisting of cavalry; he had become better acquainted with the country; many of his re-cruits came from the immediate vicinity; and two amuzettes or wall-pieces which carried balls of one pound and a half each to an extraordinary distance, were attached to the corps.