A violent cannonade ensued, as the Americans had ojiened a battery against them. The British raised anchor and went farther up the North River.' This battery damaged the British fleet both in hull and rigging. This action must have occurred near Fort Washington, and a few of the shells only fell on the Westchester shore, but the raid of the British fleet impressed General Mifflin as to the necessity of fortifying King's Bridge, Spuyten Duyvil and Fordham Heights, for on August 6, 1776, he dispatched Col. Holden from Fort Washington to King's Bridge with orders to make it more tenable,* and cannon were sent for that purpose. It is plain, from the annals of that time, that Washington appreciated the strategic value of the pass at Spuyten Duyvil and Fordham Heights, as he feared an ascent by way of the North River with the British fleet, and the destruction of King's Bridge, by a boat expedition.' Putnam and Wiebert, the engineer, were ordered to throw up works for the protection of the pass.

The New York Provincial Congress had the same appreciation of the strategic importance of that point. Robert Livingston, on August 10, 177(), wrote Washington about it in behalf of Congress. He cautioned him as to the importance of the Westchester shore and urged sending regular troops there with artillery. Congress felt the danger of the destruction of King's Bridge before any force could be sent to prevent it. The New York Congress had a lack of good faith in its militia because of its raw condition, bad pay and e(iuipment ; and in some cases their loyalty to the