On the 23d of October, a spirited skirmish took place between Hand's Pennsylvania riflemen and a detachment of Hessian chasseurs, about 240 strong, in which the Hessians were routed. These harassing encounters of the Americans (attended invariably with success) tended to delay the advance of the British and lo make them cautious, while it cheered the desponding courage of the American soldiers, and above all, gave General Washington time to remove his stores and entrench himself where no army dare assail him.

" On the morning of the 28th of October, the British army marched from their camp in two columns -- the right commanded by General Clinton, the lefi by De Heisler, and came in sight of the American forces about 10 o'clock.

» " General George Clinton, in a postscript to a friend, writing from Washington's entrenchment on the night of the 20th October, says: 'Love to Mrs. Clinton-- tell her I write from an entrenchment. The British forces are in sight, and we shall probably have battle to-morrow -- tell her to entertain no fears for my safety.' " -- Mr. To7npkins's Address.

-: ' COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 371

On the 27th of October, two militia regiments had been sent over to tlirow up entrenchments on Chalterfon hill, and on the morning of the 28th, General Washington ordered Col. Haslet to take command of the hill, having under his command his own (the Delaware) Regiment, the Militia, and part of the Maryland troops. General McDougal soon followed him and took the command. Col. Haslet says the enemy in the first place moved towards the fortifications in the village -- they then halted -- itie general ofiicers had a council of war on horseback in the wheat-fields, and the result was that their forces inclined towards the Bronx.