Colonel Putnam waited no longer, at the Tavern, and proceeded no further, on the road towards the White Plains ; but, turning his horse towards the Bronx-river, westward from Ward's Tavern,^ where he then was, over Ward's Bridge, he hastened back to Head-quarters, " with his '■' all-important discoveries." It appears that Colonel Putnam and the Adjutant-general had passed over the same ground, in the morning; and the former was surprised, therefore, when he approached the high ground, westward from the Bronx-river, to see that it was occupied by armed men ; but he ascertained with his field-glass that they were Americans ; and when he reached the encampment, he found it was the Brigade commanded by Brigadier-general Lord Stirling, of Major-general Spencer's Division, who had been pushed forward, in advance of the main Army, during that day, to occupy that very important pass and to fortify it.*

After Colonel Putnam had refreshed himself and his horse at the Head-quarters of the Brigade -- as Lord Stirling was a bon vivant and an extravagant liver, the weary Colonel was, undoubtedly, well-refreshed -- he set out for Head-quarters, by way of Yonkers, a road on which he had not previously traveled ; and as it was dark, and because the country over which he was to pass was largely inhabited by those who were unfriendly to the Americans, rendering it hazardous for him to make inquiries, his journey was peculiarly dangerous. It is said, however, that he reached Head-quarters, in safety, about nine o'clock ; that he was received by General Washington, who heard his verbal Report and examined the sketch of the country which he made for the illustration of the Report and