The Council referred to agreed, unanimously, that, in ca.se the enemy was really retreating towards New Y'ork, it would be proper, immediately, to throw a body of troops, into New Jersey; that those troops who were from the States to the westward of the Hudson, should be thus detached, the others to l>e subject to "the movements of the enemy and '■the circumstances of the American Army ;" and that three thousand men should be detailed to take post at Feekskill and the i»isses in the Highlands, for the delunce of those posts, for erecting fortiticntions, etc.

13 Geiieral Howe to Lord George Gennaine, " New-Yoek, 30 Xovetnber, "1776."

^* General McDougal to Colonel DelViU, " White-Pi.ains, November 7, "1776 ;" Memoirs of General lle^dh, 84.

1' General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " New-Y'ohk, 30 November, "1776."

1' General Washington to General Greene, "Head-qcabters, 8 November, "1776."

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

of the line, which it had so honorably occupied ; and took up its line of march, towards Peekskill, where it was to be permanently posted, for the defense of the Highlands ; ' and, on Sunday, the tenth of November, General Washington left the White Plains, to take command of those troops who had crossed the Hudson-river, and who, soon afterwards, were engaged in that disastrous retreat, through the Jerseys, and in that subsequent recovery of the greater part of that State, which so greatly distinguished him, as a commanding General, and which have been recorded, with such entire approbation, on the pages of history.'^ General Lee was left at the White Plains, with his own Division and those commanded by Generals Spencer and Sullivan, generally New York and New England troops, with orders to watch the movements of the enemy ; to secure and carry off" the Stores ; and, then, to follow the main body of the Army, into the Jerseys.^