During these preliminaries the main body of Howe's army, in its two columns, continued to approach the American intrenchments, as if to proceed forthwith to the general attack. But at the distance of about a mile from Washington's lines a halt was ordered, and General Howe and his principal officers held a consultation on horseback. They concluded that the force on Chattel-ton's Hill was a serious menace to their flank and that it must be disGENERAL MCDOUGALL. lodged before moving on the principal works. Thereupon a numberof the finest both British and German, were ordered to storm the regiments, hifl. In addition to Raid's battalion, already in action, there were the 2d brigade of British (comprising the 5th, 28th, 85th, and 40th rs regiments)^ a party of light dragoons, and the Hessian Grenadie stawas Artillery Leslie. General by under Donop-- all commanded tioned at advantageous places, some twenty pieces altogether, and furiously cannonaded the Americans on the hill. The total numerical strength of the attacking party has been variously estimated at from All authorities agree that it was overwhelming. 4,000 to 7,500. Bronx, whose the undertook fordedand the enterprise 'The troops the swollen, considerably time were for at that designated banks movements. assault in three distinct The 28th and 35th British regiments, with Kahl's Hessians, and another German regiment (which led the assault ), attacked the American position in front, where the regiment of Massachusetts militia, the

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Maryland regiment, and Ritzenia's 3d New York regiment were posted. The Massachusetts militiamen, who had been so skittish under the artillery lire, showed themselves equally disinclined to sustain an infantry shock; and, although sheltered by a stone wall, " lied a random, scattering tire;' when in confusion, without more thanduty to oppose, advanced upon them. Rain's troops, whom it was their and New Yorkers awaited unders Marylan the hand, On the other flinchingly the onset of the other three regiments (one Hessian and two British), and from the brow of the hill received them, when within range, with a deliberate and effective fire, which caused them to recoil in spite of their very superior numbers and admirable discipline.