On this occasion Thomas Valentine wasengaged with the General in conversation, leaningupon the pominel of his saddle when the heads of the British columns were seen approaching at a distance of three or four miles on the opposite side of the Bronx, as if taking the direction of the hill. Under this supposition Washington ordered out several companies to attack the flanking parties of the enemy, who it was discovered were taking tlie high road to (he White Plains. It was afterwards asserted by a British officer that through the aid of their glasses they had seen Thomas Valentine and the General in conversation.

Washington having ascertained the inteiition of the enemy pushed on his left wing to the White Plains, while his right occupied the hill.

From the 12th to the 27th of October, 1776, the American army lay entrenched in detached camps from this hill to (he White Plains.^ On the 27th, as the enemy continued to advance upon the White Plains, General Washington suddenly called in all his detachments, and abandoning the positions he had occupied along the Bronx, assembled all his forces in a strong camp upon Chatterton Heights. Upon the 28ih of October, the day of the battle, it was asserted by the residents on the hill, that not only

» Stedman's Hist, of the American War.

436 HISTORY OF THE

was the cannonade distinctly heard, but also the singing of the Hessians as they advanced to attack the American position. After the battle of the 28th, the British infantry were stationed here.