The other two were to go to the right and left, and lead the men from the other boats, which were to land on either side of the first boat. The men from the first boat landed; the enemy's guard charged, but were instantly driven back, but the men in the other two boats, instead of landing, lay on their oars. The British seeing this, returned to the charge, and the single boat- load seeing themselves abandoned, returned to the boat. Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson received a musket-ball in his leg and Major Henly was shot through the heart and instantly killed. The boat joined the others and all three returned, having lost in all about fourteen killed, wounded and missing. Major Henly was deeply regretted. If only one other of the boats had landed her men, success was probable, if both the others had landed, in the opinion of all concerned, success would have been certain. The delinquents in the other boats were arrested and one of the captains tried by court-martial and cashiered.'

September 29th a large number of boats crossed over from Long to Randall's Island, which movement was continued on the 30th. The same day a frigate came through Hell Gate and lay alongside the "La Brune." About noon she hoisted sail and went to the eastward, and in the evening another ship came up. October 1st she was at anchor in the channel between Harlem and Banian's orEldridge's Island. '

On October 3d General Heath, with Colonel Hand, made a reconnoisance as far as Throgg's Neck. The causeway between the village of Westchester and the Neck seemed to them to be a strong strategic point. The old mill then, and for many years afterwards, stood at the west end of the causeway, and there was a bridge of j)lanks there then, as there is now.