In his correspondence with Congress on the subject of this skirmish, he describes Throgg's Neck as a " kind of island," but the water which surrounded it as "fordable at low tide." He reported throwing up the earthworks, but from the number of vessels he had seen go up the East River, and also from reports brought in by deserters, he felt convinced that the greatest part of Howe's army had gone eastward, and that his object was to get into the rear of the Americans and cut off" commnication between Manhattan Island and the mainland. He considered the country back of Throgg's Point defensible, especially by reason of its stone walls, both along the I'oads and across the fields, so that the enemy would have great difficulty in advancing artillery or even any large body of infantry with any degree of order, except by the main road.

By the 13th it was evident to all that Westchester County would be the next point of attack by the British. No less than forty-two sail had passed the mouth of Harlem River going eastward, and it was apparent that this movement was no feint, but that Howe meant to " make his covp " in the direction of Westchester.'^ The troops at Harlem and at King's Bridge were ordered to their alarm posts, reinforcements were sent to King's Bridge and rations for three days' march were ordered to be cooked immediately. The next day General Heath visited the troops at Westchester. Skirmishing was kept up for a couple