Howe with information that a part of Clinton's army were then above the new bridge on Croton River pushing for the Point ; and that he was retreating from the Point as fast as possible. On this Gen. Heath ordered Gen. Huntington with his brigade and two field pieces to push forward as fast as the troops could march and keep in breath, and take a position on thehigli ground to the south of Peekskill which commands the road to the Point, and also that to the new bridge on Croton River; and ordered a regiment to file off to the right and secure the pass over the hillp

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between Drake's and Peekskill, and also ordered the flank guard on the left to be reinforced, and to send out small flank guards still further from its flank. The troops moving on with the utmost expedition to the ground which General Huntington had been ordered forward to secure. Every moment that passed, was expected to announce the commencement of an action between the advanced or flanking parties of the two armies; but it did not take place. At this moment Gen. Washington, having learnt how matters stood, and that possibly Gen. Clinton might attempt to push into the Highlands, sent an express to Gen. Heath, to move into the Highlands immediately, which was done, just after dark, the troops passing the night on Bald Hill. It was generally the opinion that if General Heath had not been at hand to advance in the manner he did, that Gen. Clinton by a forced march of his light troops, backed by his army, would have got in the rear of Gen. Howe, before he could have possibly gained the road at Peekskill, and between his army and a sally from the garrison of Verplanck's Point inevitably cut ofl" the whole.