But once ing, Heath did not get started until four in the afternoon. on the way, he performed the maneuver with remarkable rapidity, arriving in White Plains at four o'clock in the morning (October 22), It was only twelve hours after his departure from Kingsbridge. practically a forced march, for the immediate purpose of throwing a strong body into White Plains-- Stirling's single brigade bybeing the manifestly insufficient to hold the place if a serious movement enemy should be suddenly made thither; and naturally the men were not encumbered with baggage, or obliged to draw heavy loads after them, as was the case with the troops that followed. Vet the division made the march in perfect order, taking its light and heavy artillery, and was so arranged that in case of attack disposition for battle could be effected instantly. The withdrawal of Heath's division from Kingsbridge left the whole southern line of Westchester County denuded of defenders, except that a garrison of 600, under Colonel Lasher, was spared for Port Independence on Tetard's Hill; but even this was only a temporary measure, for, as we shall see, Colonel Lasher's small command was withdrawn from that station a few days later and joined the army at White Plains. Since the Pelham affair of the 18th, there had been absolutely no encounter between the Americans and British, even at their outlying posts, both sides having been engrossed with the business of securing position. But on the night of the 21st a well-planned and