It is every where hilly and covered with wood, intersected by "ravines, creeks, and niarsliy grounds: and every quarter of a mile, is "a post fitted for ambuscades. Little or no knowledge could be obtained " by reconnoitering ; " and " America is, of all countries, the best calcu- " latcd for the defensive : every one hundred yards might bo disputed, "at least that part of it that I have seen."

During a visit which he made to us, at our home, near the White Plains, previously to the late Civil War, General .John E. Wool, a veteran in the service of the United States, was peculiarly emphatic concerning the natural capabilities of Westchester-county, for a defensive warfare.

* " Upon the present appearance of things, I look upon the further "progress of this Army, for the Campaign, to be rather precarious, an "attack upon Khode Island excepted, which I would willingly defer, "(or a short time, in case it should be thought advisible to employ our "whole force together. * * * But, in my situation, I presume, I " must not risk, as a check, at this time, would be of infinite detriment " to us.

"The enemy is too strongly posted to be attacked, in front ; and in- " numerable difficulties .are in my way of turning him, on either side, "though his .\rmy is much dispirited from the late success of his "Majesty's arms; yet have I not the smallest prospect of finishing the "contest, this Campaign, nor until the Kebels sec preparations, in the "Spring, that may preclude all thoughts of further resistance. To this " etid, I would propose eight or ten liue-of-battJe .^hips, to be with us in " February, with a oumborof jiupernuuu'rary Seamen, for manning boats, " having fully experienced the want of them, in every movenieut we have "made.