According to his definition of his object, it was to make a master stroke which would end the war. This he might have attempted by assailing Washington in his intrenchments on Harlem Heights, which would have been foolhardy because of the strength of the position. His whole purpose in coming up to Westchester County was to surround thai position from the north, and, by thus cutting off Washington's communications and supplies, force him either to surrender or to offer battle in the open field. Notwithstanding his ubsurd disembarkation on Throgg's Neck, he could still easily have realized that aim alter his movement to Pell's Neck if he had then advanced steadily to a cen-

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

Instead he tral locality in the upper part of Westchester County. occupied had gton Washin until Sound the of shores the on loitered his adWhite Plains with a powerful body, and then lie -ranted versary time to fortify his now station; so that, when he finally did move forward to bring on the decisive engagement for which he was he had longing, he was in precisely the same relative situation as mbeen in before the position on Harlem Heights-- attacking anopen. left above country whole the with below, from camp d trenche as finally concenThe effective strength of Washington's army The trated at White Plains was in the neighborhood of 13,000. ed estimat ly general is it against brought Howe actual force which General -- greater ds thousan many not or number same the about at Knvphausen's entire command of not less than 8,000 having beenin The great advantage of the British troops left at New Kochelle. ood regard to quality, discipline, and equipment is too well underst hand, other the On here. nt stateme renewed by the reader to need of the Americans had a certain advantage from the circumstance ding comman a of means no by was , however which, ed, being intrench nature at the time of the appearance of the enemy before him.