The NevA' York Congress, at the same time, ordered out the whole of the Westchester militia, under its brigadiergeneral, Lewis Morris, to take possession of such points on Long Island Sound and Hudson River as he thought most exposed to the enemy.^ .

Meantime reconnoisances developed the necessity of securing from the enemy the upper end of Manhattan Island and Fordham Heights. Fort Washington was built on Manhattan Island and Fort Independence' on what is now known as the Giles property, just north of the West Farms or Fordham ]\Iauor line, on the Westchester shore so as to command Spuyten Duyvil Creek. * General Heath was placed in command of the troops in that neighborhood.^

The defeat of the Americans on Long Island and Washington's masterly retreat to Manhattan Island showed that his precautions as to the importance of a line of retreat via King's Bridge and Westchester County were well timed. The New York Congress had fled from the city to Harlem and after the battle of Long Island it adjourned not to meet again until it assembled at White I'lains. A Committee of Safety was appointed and it met on August 20, 177fi, at King's Bridge. The State treasure-chest was also brought there, but almost immediately removed up into the Saw-Mill Valley to Mr. Odell's house. It was teared that the British would go direct from Brooklyn to some point ontheSound, march across country, cut

> 1 Force, 88(;. Idem, 1494.

2.\s a speciiiien of the eriuipnient of General Morris' brigade, the following extract I'roiri the orders of the Provincial or New York C(»ngres3 is given : If any of the men were without arms, they were ordered to bring " a shovel, a spade, pick-axe or scythe, straightened and fixed on a jiole." The brigadier of this motley army was ordered to "apprehend and arrest . . . disaffected jiei-sons." All the militia was placed nnder " marching orders," and only snlticient guards were to he left behind to prevent insurrection of the slaves and the prisoners in the jails.