Washington, says Heath inhave his division formed ready (Heath) to return immediately and for action, and to take such a position as might appear best calculated to oppose the enemy should they attempt to land another body of troops on Morrisania, which he thought not improbable." Having distracted the attention of the Americans by his pretended plan of crossing the marsh from Throgg's Neck, Howe dispatched his main body as rapidly as possible to Pell's Point on boats, and the transfer was completed with promptness and in entire safety. Meanwhile the presence of the British vanguard, which had been ferried ovei in the night, became known to the American force stationed on the neck above, resulting in a series of lively encounters. This American force consisted of the excellent brigade of General James Clinton, which, at the time, was commanded by Colonel Glover. It embraced four regiments, Shepard's, Read's, and Baldwin's, in addition to Glover's (the last being under the temporary command of

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

Its total strength upon this occasion was about Captain Curtis). 750, and il was equipped with three field pieces, which, however, were not brought into action because of the unevenness of the ground and The fact that the American the nature of the tactics employed. numerous and effecrelatively so place to general had the discretion tive a body on Pell's Neck, despite his lingering belief that the thither, is one enemy's plans did not contemplate any movement among many exceedingly practical and convincing demonstrations of the thoroughness and intelligence with which the patriot forces were disposed from the very beginning of the Westchester campaign. Colonel Clover was made aware of the presence of the enemy by lie immediately threw the sudden approach of his advance guard, forward a captain and forty men to meet them, and in the pause lie which followed ambuscaded his regiments behind stone walls, them marched ami men forty the of then personally took command to within fifty yards of the place where the foe had come to a standFour still.