It does not appear that the movement of the van of the Royal Army was seen by the Americans, through the darkness of the very early morning, notwithstanding one of the best of the Brigades in the American service, that of General James Clinton, then commanded by Colonel Glover of Marblehead, had been posted, as a guard, in front of Pell'sneck, the place of its debarkation ; and not until daylight had revealed the similar movement of the main body of the Army, was there any suspicion, among the Americans, anywhere, that such a movement was imminent -- indeed, the van had landed and moved up toward the main-land, a full mile and a half, before either of the movements was discovered.*

The movement of the main body, in upwards of two hundred boats, formed into four grand divisions and covered by the smaller armed vessels of the Fleet, was discovered, "early in the morning," by Colonel Glover himself; by whom, after he had sent Major Lee, the Brigade-Major, as an express to General Lee, whose Quarters were three miles away from that place, the entire Brigade which he commanded, was called to arms, and moved down the Neck, to oppose the landing of the enemy and to hold him in check, until reinforcements should be sent or other Orders be received.

' General Howe't Speech before a Committee of the House of Oommow, April 29, 1776.

' Admiral Lord Horn to Mr. Siephent, Secretary of the Admiralty '•'ExG^.r., "OFF Xew-York, November 2.3, 1776 ;" General Hotte to Lord George Germaine. " New-York, November 30, 1776, " Lusbington's ii/e 0/ Lord Harrit, 81 ; Gordon's UisUrri/of the American Recolulion, ii., 338.