When the head of the column had got nearly across the lot, their front got out of sight ; nor could the extent of their rear be now discovered. The sun shone bright, their arms glittered, and perhaps troops never were shown to more advantage, than these now appeared. The whole now halted ; and for a few minutes, the men all sat down in the same order in which they stood, no one appearing to move out of his place. The cannonade continued brisk across the Bronx. A part of the left column, composed of British and Hessians, forded the river, and marched alono- under the cover of the hill, until they had gained sufficient ground to the left of the Americans ; when, by facing to the left, their column became a line, parrallel

374 HISTORV OF THE

with the Americans. When they briskly ascended the hill,» the first column resumed a quick march. As the troops, which were advancing to the attack, ascended the hill, the cannonade on the side of the Brilish ceased; as their own men became exposed to their fire, if conlinued. The fire of small arms was now very heavy, and without any distinction of sounds. This led some American officers, who were looking on, to observe that the Brilish were worsted, as their cannon had ceased firing; but a few minutes evinced that the Americans were giving way. They moved off the hill in a great body, neither running, nor observing the best order. The British ascended the hill very slowly, and when arrived at its summit, formed and dressed their line, without the least attempt to pursue the Americans. The loss on the side of the Americans was inconsiderable. That of the British was not then known. The British army having got possession of this hill, it gave ihem a vast advantage of the American lines, almost down to the centre.''''