He directed that the stores ami baggage be removed north of the Croton River into General Heath's jurisdiction, and closed with this injunction: " If the enemy should remove the greater part of their foreo to the west side of Hudson's River, I have no doubt of your following with all possible dispatch." We shall see later how Lee, in his commander's direst need during the retreat through New Jersey, deliberately ignored this instruction and even assumed to exercise independent authority and to reverse Washington's express orders to Heath. On the night of the 10th of November Washington, having taken lu's departure from the remnant of the army at North Castle, went to Peekskill, and on the 11th, accompanied by Generals Heath, Stirling, George and James Clinton, and Mifflin, began a detailed inspection of points on both banks of the river above, which was extended the next morning into the defiles of the Highlands. This tour resulted

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

ten o'clock iii the issuance of definite instructions to Heath. to About embark upon his on the morning of the 12th he crossed the river ever memorable winter campaign in New Jersey. Allusion has been made in a previous chapter to the burning of the Westchester County court house by some soldiers of Washington's army. That deplorable event occurred on the night of the 5th It was an entirely wanton and irresponsible performof November. ance Throughout the Westchester campaign Washington had been in excessivelv annoyed by the bad conduct of the lawless element his ranks-- men who pillaged and set fire to farm houses, and comlie repeatedly issued orders to remitted promiscuous outrages, In general orders dated November 2 he said: strain such practices. "The General expressly forbids any person or soldier belonging to the army to set fire to any house or barn, on any pretense, Avithout The burning of the court someof "general fromnight order the special ahouse was therefore done in defiance of the 5th officer." during The cula recent stringent prohibition by the commander-in-chief. prits were a band of Massachusetts troops led by Major Jonathan Williams Austin, and, besides destroying the court house, they burnt the Presbyterian Church and several private dwellings at White For this deed Austin was court-martialed, dismissed from Plains. the service, and turned over to the State convention for further punishment.