If there had been, in fact, no other reason than these, for occupying and fortifying that position, there was reason for General George Clinton's doubts, when he wrote, " Uncovered, as we are ; daily on fatigue ; " making redoubts, tleches, abatis, and lines; and retreating from " them and the little temporary Inits made for our comfort, before they " are well flnished, I fear, will ultimately destroy our Army, without " fighting." ..." However, I would not be understood to con- " dcmn measures. They may be right, for aught I know. I do not un- " derstand much of the refined art of War : it is said to consist of " strategem and deception."-- (Geuerai George Clinton to John McKesson, " Cami' near the White Plains, October 31, 1776.")
6 Colonel Robert II. Harrison to the I'midi tit of the Congress, " White- " Plains, October 31, 1776 ;" Letter from a Genthman in the Army, dated " Camp near the Mills, aroi t three miles North oe the White- " Plains, November 1, 1776," published in The Pennsylvania Evening Pos*, Vol. II., No. 280, Philadelphia, Thursday, November H, 1776 ; .Wemoim of General Hiath, 80; etc.
T LieiUenant-colotxl Gist to the Man/land Conncil of Safely, "Camp "bekore the White-Plains, 2 November, 1776." 8Vido page 400, ante.
♦"His," [Ueneral Wathington't,] "apprehensions are exceedingly " great lest the Army should suffer much for want of necessary supplies " of Provisions, especially in the article of Flour. From the best in- " tclligence he is able to obtain, there is not more fn Camp and at the " several places where it has been deposited, than will servo the Army " longer than four or five days, proviiled the utmost care and economy " were used in i.ssuing it out ; but, from the waste and embez./.lement, " for want of proper attention to it, as it is reported to him, it is not " probable that it will last so long."-- (Cu/oiie( Robert II.