When nearly up the hill on the Boston road, Bryant unlimbered to prevent his horses being shot, and the men took the drag-ropes ; but the steepness of the ascent required the dragging of the piece almost within pistol-shot before it could be depressed enough to bear on the enemy. Its first shot opened a breach in the wall four or five feet wide, the next made another opening, whereupon the enemy fled back to Fort Independence with the greatest precipitation. The Americans had two killed and a number wounded. On the 27th the brass twenty-four pounder and the howitzer arrived and opened on the fort. The former sprung her carriage after the third discharge. There were no live shells for the howitzer. No regular cannonade of the fort was, in fact, ever contemplated. Attempts were made to draw the enemy out of the fort. A detachment was sent to Morrisania to light numerous fires at night ; and, to induce the enemy to suppose the Americans were collecting there with designs of crossing to New York at or near Harlem, large boats were brought forward on carriages. The British garrison on Montressor's (Randall's) Island, alarn:ed at this, set fire to the buildings and fled to New York. ' A brigade of the enemy moved up to Fort Washington and a detachment was sent for from Rhode Island.

On the 29th a severe snow-storm came on. Gens. Lincoln, Wooster, Scott and Tenbroeck were unanimous that the troops ought to move back where they could be i)rotected from the inclement weather, especially as they had no artillery with which to take the