For these reasons, we prefer to believe that the American lines were not, generally, furnished with an abatis.

' Vide page 448, ante.

' General Jlowe to Lord Ueorge Gemiaine, " New-York, 30 November, " 1776."

* General Heath said, (Sfomoirs, 79,) "the British having got posses- " eion of this hill, it gave them a vast advantage of the American lines, " almost down to the center;' and General Knox, in a letter to his

it necessary for the American Army to abandon the position, the work of strengthening its lines was continued, with unabated industry.*

During Wednesday, the thirtieth of October, the King's troops were occupied in throwing up some defensive works and redoubts, on the Plain, in front of the American lines,'' and an entrenchment on the summit of Chatterton's-hill;' and, during the afternoon of the same day, four Regiments, from the lines on New-York-island,* and two Regiments of the Sixth Brigade, who had been posted at Mamaroneck, after the Queen's Rangers had been so " roughly

brother, dated "Ne.\ii Wiiite-Pi.ains, 32 miles from New-York, 1 "Nov: 177(>," said " the enemy's having possession of this hill obliged " us to abandon some sliglit lines thrown up on the White Plains."

5 There was something which required explanation in what was written by General Washington's Secretary and, undoubtedly, with his approval, to the President of the Congress, when he said, " Our post, from " its situation, is not so advantageous as could be wished ; and was only " intended us temporary and occasional, till the Stores belonging to tlie " .\rmy, which hail been deposited, heie, could be removed."-- (OiJoik/ Robert 11. Harrison to the I\esident of the Congress, " White-Plains, 29 "October, 177fi."