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. Although this vainglorious a fixed ed indicat it letter, gton's Washin of made before the receipt Indeed, from that resolve in his mind to act an independent part. horse, his whole day until his fortunate capture by a troop of British arrogating to proceedings were those of a rebellious subordinate, commander. chief the of that with nate co-ordi ty authori himself After Fort Washington s fall Lee wrote letters from North Castle to various persons filled with innuendoes against Washington on account of that disaster. On the 10th he had the impudence to send to Washington in person a letter reciting his "objections" to moving from North Castle. On the 20Th, when Fort Lee was abandoned and there remained no doubt that the British would begin a campaign in New Jersey, WashNKW YORK STATE REGIMENTAL FLAG EMBLEM. illgton, tllOU at HaCkeilsack, dispatched an express command was repeated This move. to him ordering to Lee a<»ain and again during the succeeding days (sometimes twice Newark vainly days Washington lay at when a&day).