It is very probable that it was that accidental separation of the Begiments composing the support of the Hessian forlorn-hope, and the consequent assault on the Americans in three distinct movements, which led Captain Hull, (in Campbell's Revolutionary Sen-ices and Civil Life of General William Hull, 55,) to suppose the assault had been originally ordered to be made, in that manner.

' In what manner the assaulting party crossed the Bronx-river has been made the subject of the speculation* of several modern >vriters, led and, probably, inspired by the unscrupulous John C. Hamilton, {History of the Republic of the United Stales, i., 133,) who said the Hessian forlorn-hope "refused to wade the tangled stream ; and a temporai-y bridge was begun" and, finally, completed, -- of which bridge, he related several incidents.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

order in which we iiave uanied them, for the support of the sliiveriiig, h:ilf-ilro\viied Germans, who were undoubtedly waiting, on the western bank of the stream, for their eo-operation.

When the movement of the assaulting party, toward the ford, was seen from the summit of the hill, Colonel Haslet applied to General McDougal for the two fieldpieces, in order that a lire might be opcued on the advancing column; but (leneral McDougal spared only one of the two guns; and that was so poorly appointed that the Colonel was obliged, i)ersonally, to assist in dragging it along the rear of his Regiment, to the place where ho desired to post it. While it was being tlius slowly dragged along the rear of the line of Americans, it is said that a shot from the Hessian guns struck its carriage, scattering the shot, etc., and leaving a wad of tow blazing in the middle of the debris. With the exception of a single man, who " was prevailed upon to tread out the blaze and col- " lect the shot," " all the Artillery-men fled," leaving Colonel Haslet and the field-piece entirely unsupported ; but it appears that some of these later fugitives returned ; nuide a couple of discharges ou the euemy; and then retired, "'with the field-piece," not to be seen again, until after they were securely tjuarof eacli of which his fathi i's (^>iui>suiy of Artillery and his father were, invariahlv, the principal subjects.