Indeed, though he was strengthened eight days later by the 2,000 from Fort Lee, his ranks were so reduced by the departures of militiamen and other causes that by the time he gained the west shore of the Delaware on the 8th of December it is doubtful if he had more than 3,000 soldiers effective for active purposes. Soon after arriving in New Jersey lie appealed in pressing terms to the governor of that State, to its legislature, and to congress for fresh troops. But ins main reliance was upon Lee, whom he had left at North Castle as a purely temporary matter until the principal object of the enemy should be disclosed, and with definite instructions to move at once to the other side of the Hudson if it should appear that Howe's designs were in that quarter. On the 16th, the day of the capitulation of Fort Washington, the commander-in-chief wrote to Lee at length upon the subject of the proper employment of his time so long as it should be expedient for him to remain in Westchester County, plainly giving him to understand that the North Castle position was no longer of any particular importance, and that for the time being he should devote his energies, in co-operation with General Heath, toward securing the Highland passes on both sides of the river and erecting works in advantageous

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

t attention. On places To this injunction Lee gave not the slightes Colonel Heed, of to day same the the other hand, in a letter written opinions regardy contrar y Washington's staff, he expressed directl the observation with ing conclud Castle, North at in^ the "position - not to cede that he intended to remain there, and that he wished boast was another inch » to the enemy.