At the same time the expediency of retaining possession of Fort Washington was considered, and all the general officers, most of them influenced doubtless by the desire of congress that this stronghold should be held as long as possible, favored the policy-- although Washington's judgment was against it. Preparations were now begun, though with no special haste, for

CAMPAIGN

BATTLE

WHITE

PLAINS

securing the withdrawal of the army. Orders were given for putting the roads leading to the north, on the west side of the Bronx River, in good condition. Washington thoroughly familiarized himself with the nature of the country above, and in that connection, on the 16th, carefully examined the ground adjacent to Pelham Neck, which proved to be the next stage in the progress of the enemy. At (his early date considerable bodies of troops were advanced as far northward as Valentine's Hill and the Mile Square, both in the present City of Yonkers; and during the subsequent few days detachments were gradually sent forward to establish a line of temporary intrenched camps on the high grounds bordering the west bank of the Bronx all the way to White Plains.1 Besides, Washington was not unmindful of the chance of danger from the Hudson River. On the 15th two regiments of Massachusetts militia were sent up to Tarrytown to watch the British ships of war lying opposite that place and oppose any attempt to land men from them; and, notwithstanding the previous failure of the clievaux dc [rise at Fort Washington to bar the navigation of the river, and the large expense incident to an attempted completion of that barrier, the work upon it was energetically continued. " We are sinking the Ships as fast as possible," wrote Tilghman to Duer on the 17th; "200 Men are daily employed, but they take an immense Quantity of Stone for the purpose." Although the ultimate necessity of quitting Manhattan Island and Kingsbridge was not decided on until the Kith, and the beginning of the formal movement was delayed several days longer, the objective point in the coming northward march of the army was well indicated by circumstances beforehand.