To this san guinary threat Magaw replied that it was unworthy of General Howe and the British nation, at the same time declaring that he intended to hold out to the last extremity. During the night of the 15th numerous small boats for the transportation of the attacking troops from the Westchester side were passed up the Hudson and through asSpuyten Duyvil Creek into the Harlem River. On the 16th thecomsault was made at every selected point and was crowned with plete success, although the enemy's killed and wounded were 458 against but 147 on the American side. The whole garrison, consisting of 2,818 men, including officers, became prisoners of war, and a large amount of equipments and stores fell forty-three gunsof and the British. into the hands This was a dreadful blow to Washington, almost a deadly one in

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the circumstances which encompassed him. The fall of the fort, so far from being a catastrophe, was a blessing in disguise. It was well to have it oft his hands. But the loss of 3,000 men, at the moment when he was engaging in a. new campaign having for its probable object the defense of the capital, with but a meager force at his disposal, which was rapidly moldering away in consequence of desertions and the expiration of militia terms of service, was about as disastrous a thing as could betide short of his own destruction. On the 20th Fort Lee was taken by an expedition of 5,000, which landed the night before opposite Yonkers. No resistance was attempted, and although the garrison of 2,000 was promptly withdrawn, it barely escaped capture. Then began Washington's famous retreat across New Jersey, with Cornwallis and Knyphausen in hot pursuit. It does not come within the scope of the present work 10 follow him in detail in this movement and his subsequent operations.