On the morning of the 20th Washington dispatched Colonel Rufus Putnam, an able engineer and very trustworthy officer,1 to reconnoiter the country in the vicinity of the enemy. Colonel Putnam proceeded to within two or three miles of White Plains. From his observations of the easy accessibility of that place to the enemy, he became profoundly convinced of the immediate necessity of having it occupied by a respectable body of men, so as to secure its large ami vitally important magazine of provisions against attack. Returning with all haste to headquarters, he submitted the facts to the commander-in-chief, who gave him a letter to Lord Stirling, ordering that general to march forthwith to White Plains with all his command. Putnam reached CKXKKAI,

LOUD

STIRLING.

Stirling's camp at two o'clock the following morning (October 21). was in motion before daybreak, and by nine o'clock it brigade The i it ms under the snnprvision of Colonel Put nam that the fortifications of Port Washington

CAMPAIGN

BATTLE

WHITE

PLAINS

At that time, it will be remembered, had arrived at White Plains. dilatory General Howe had advanced only slightly above New the Rochelle. Supplementing The 21st was a day of great and fruitful activity. of Colonel receipt the upon before night the of action his prompt Heath, then at directed General report, Washington Putnam's Kino-sbrido-e, to break camp, " if possible, at eight o'clock this mornHe was himing," and take his division speedily to White Plains. self in the saddle at an early hour, and rode to White Plains on a While there he issued a number of important tour of inspection. orders, including one to the officer commanding at Mamaroneck, whom 'he instructed to make the best stand possible if attacked, little thinking, savs Dawson, kk that at that very time the officer whom he was thus addressing had shown himself to bo only a contemptiorder given Heath in the mornble poltroon. '• The marching ing was executed by that faithful general as promptly as possible; but the movement of his division, distributed along the southern herder of Westchester County, which had to be consolidated, with numerous preliminary details to be attended to, could not be accommorn Instead of moving at eight o'clock in the plished so suddenly.