This camp was broken up on the 25lh, and the A rmy moved forward to a position upon the high grounds in Scarsdale, in the vicinity of the late John Bennett's farm, and there remained till the morning of the 28tli of October.

General Washington during that time had not remained inactive -- as early as the 11th of Ocu.'ber, a part of his army crossed from Harlem heights, reached White Plains on the 12lh, and commenced erecting fortifications, and on the 22d General Washington, leaving his head-quarters at Fort Washington, established them at A^alentine's hill, whence they were removed to White Plains on the 23d.

" The entrenchments at White Plains were erected under the directions of a French engineer, and consisted of a square fort of sods in the main street with breastworks on each side running westerly over the south side of Purdy's Vol. II. 47

370 ' HISTORY OF THE

hill to ihe Bronx, and easterly across the hills to Horton's pond. When the English aiincked Chalterlun's hill on the 28lh, they were unfinished, but during the night of ihe 28ih and S'Jlh of Ociober they were raised and strengthened, being only intended for tenfiporary use until ihe position above Abraham Miller's in Northcastle could be fortified, which was done, and to which the American army afterwards retired.

"General Howe committed a great mistake in not attacking General Washington's fortificaiions in White Plains on the 28ih instead of Chalterton's hill. He gained nothmg in taking that hill. After the works at Wliite Plains were comijleied, great loss to Howe's army must have attended their capture, and Washington's new position (above Mr. Miller's) appears to have been regarded as impregnable. Washington's policy at this time was, as he expressed it, ' to enirer.ch and fight with the spade and mattock.^ The experience at Bunker's hill had made the English cautious in attacking Americans behind entrenchments.»