The three intrenched lines of Harlem Heights, crossing the island, were to the south ; Laurel Hill, with Fort George at its northern extremity, lay to the east ; upon the river edge, near Tnbby Hook, was Fort Tryon, and close to Spuyten Duyvil were some slight works known as Cockhill Fort ; and across the creek, on Tetard's Hill, Fort Independence. The main communication with these various works was the Albany Road, crossing the Harlem River at Kingsbridge. This road was obstructed by three lines of abatis extending from Laurel Hill to the River Ridge.

With Fort Leo, <>n the opposite side of the river, it constituted the military domain of General Nathaniel Greene. Greene had his headquarters at Fort Lee. In common with most of the other subordinates of General Washington, he stubbornly insisted that it should be held after the evacuation of Harlem Heights and Kingsbridge, and this was the emphatic opinion of congress, which during tin1 early stages of the war was always meddling with Washington's prerogative as commander-in-chief. Greene, in fact, regarded it as impregnable, going so far as to declare that the place could be held against the whole British army. Washington stood practically alone in regarding the attempted retention of the fort as an inexpedient measure. At the very first council of war on the subject, held at Kingsbridge on the Kith of October, he advised its abandonment, both because he was convinced that in the case of a siege it would be taken, and because he foresaw that the whole theater of war would soon be shifted from Manhattan Island and the lower Hudson, in which event its usefulness would be ended. But he was loath to set ins authority against the unanimous judgment of his officers and congress, and while at every step personally favoring the withdrawal of the garrison, he finally permitted the fort to be defended.