During the pause after the bitter American defeat on Long Island, all the conditions seemed to indicate that whatever General Howe's preference might: be in the selection of a quarter from which to renew his direct operations against Washington's army, he would at least not neglect to secure a substantial foothold at the essential points along the lower Hudson. Hence the American measures for obstructing the navigation of the river and for protecting the Highland passes. It is of course idle to speculate as to the probable results, in their relations at least to the ultimate fortunes of the war, that would have attended an effective land occupation at this early period of the western part of our county, or even of the very small section from Verplanck's

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

ible conclusion Poiul to Anthony's Nose. Bn1 it seems an irresist of the British thai will, the latter strategic section in the hands patrolled Greek Duyvil n Spuyte to Ferry Evings fro... aml tlie nvcr would war of by a detachment from their fleet, the entire theater ment-govern British the of object have been changed and a prime course and the the possesion of the Hudson Biver throughout its almost combeen have ld consequent division of the colonies-wou Jersey pletely realized at once. The escape of Washington to New been obliged to have would he and off, cut been have then would oi waging a retreal into New England, with the single alternative bout northern round-a a by ing proceed or there war local defensive route to the middle colonies, where also he would have been under the disability of local confinement, with his lines of eastern communication closed by the Hudson. General Howe's calculations were not, however, so far-reaching; he was engrossed with the immediate business of annihilating the patriot army.