In other parts of his work, (original edition, i., .'46-648 ; second edition, ii., 73, 74,) he presented copies of what General Heath and two of the letter-writers had written on the subject, without a single additional word, where something of descriiition of localities, if nothing else, would have been more than ordinarily useful. Tlie Annual Register for 1776: History of Europe, *17G ; Murray, in his Impartial History of the War in America, (Edit. Newcastle-ujion-Tyne, sine anno, ii., 175) ; The History of the War in America, (Ed. Dublin : 1779, ii., 193) ;
was justly reposed, to make a personal reconnaissance of the enemy's strength and position.' It is said that, in the discharge of that service, Colonel Putnam was accompanied by Adjutant-general Reed and a guard of twenty men. It is said, also, that, from the heights of Eastchester, they saw a small body of the enemy, near the Church, in that village, but could learn nothing from the inhabitants, as the houses were all deserted. The Adjutant-general is said to have left Colonel Putnam, at that place, to attend to other duties ; and that the latter requested him to take back the guard, as he thought he could succeed better, in what he hud to do, by himself It is said, also, that Colonel Putnam then disguised himself, and set out for the White Plains, a place which he had never visited ; nor did he know the road which led to it. Immediately afterwards, he came to a road which turned off, to the right, and which he followed, a short distance and until became to a house, where a woman informed him that the road he was then on led to New Rochelle ; that the enemy was there ; and that the latter had posted a guard, at a house, then in sight.