History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I
General Howe having been equally active, during the same period, only a few miles distant,'" the extreme right of that line, at Kingsbridge, was, also, the scene ot bustle and active preparation for a movement -- Orders had been issued for the movement of the Division commanded by Major-general Heath, then occupying the grounds around Kingsbridge and, thence, northward, to Valentine's-hill, to the extreme left of the proposed line, in the new position, to the northward and eastward of the White Plains, which had been selected for the immediate occupation of the Army." That movement, as we have said,'^ had evidently been determined on, at least as early as during the preceding night, after the return of Colonel Putnam, and was not consequent on either the movement of the Royal Army, during the same morning, or the observations of General Washington, on his tour of inspection ; but there was, evidently, some cause for the eight hours of delay, beyond the hour appointed for the movement of the Division and the extreme scarcity of Teams, for any purpose, as we have already stated," which was producing great anxiety and trouble, throughout the entire Army, may have caused the delay.
The Division commanded by Major-general Heath, as we have said, (except General George Clinton, with the Regiments commanded, respectively, by Colonels Nicolls, Pawling, Graham, and Swartwout,) was ordered to move, left in front, at eight o'clock in the morning, if possible : the advance-guard was to consist of one hundred men, taken from General Scott's Brigade ; and was to be followed by the heavy artillery, of which two heavy iron twelve-pounders were to be moved with that Division : the column was to follow, in platoons or by file, the six and threepound guns to be moved between the first and second and between the third and fourth Regiments of each Brigade: each Regiment was ordered to throw out a flank-guard: and General Parsons was ordered to