History of Westchester County, New York, from its Earliest Settlement to the Year 1900
Solicitude was likewise felt for KingsIn June Washbridge, a point of even greater immediate importance.Kingsbridge and ington had made a personal visit of inspection to fortificaadvantageous of admit to locality the found had vicinity, tion in seven distinct places, and, " esteeming it a pass of the utmost importance in order to keep open communication with the country," had assigned troops to push forward the defensive works determined upon. On the 2d of July General Mifflin was sent to Kingsbridge to assume charge, and from that time forward there was the utmost activity in and around this spot. The great fear was that
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the bridge itself, and with it the Farmers' Bridge, would be destroyed bv a boat expedition from the Hudson River, and that a portion of the British army would be coincidently landed in Westchester whole force on County, which would have shut up Washington's Manhattan Island. But these dreaded attempts were never made, and even if they had been the precautions taken would probably have sufficed to counteract them. It is well known that General Howe placed not a little dependence upon the hope of receiving active co-operation in the held from the loyal inhabitants of the lower counties of this State, and in that hope he was encouraged by assurances which he received from Governor Tryon and others upon his arrival. So far as Westchester County is concerned, no evidence exists that any results to sustain him in such an expectation followed the undoubted attempts to stimulate Tory courage incidental to the dispatch of the " Phoenix " and kk Rose " up the Hudson. Too much praise can not be given the New York State convention for its vigorous and well-considered measures at this time of uncertainty regarding the intent ions of the enemy.