On the other hand, the British were content to abide at Kingsbridge as their most advanced permanent establishment, never attempting to take a formal stand above as an added feature of their basic position. Their occupation of Westchester County beyond Kingsbridge was only for the minor business of covering that place, controlling the territory to some extent, cutting off occasional American detachments, and furnishing constant adventurous employment for a few bodies of their troops, mostly Loyalist rangers. There was never a second British movement in force through Westchester County, although two expedi-

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the entrance to the Hightions of importance destined for forcing A few days alter Lee marched lands were landed in the county. Sound were away from North Castle our people residing along the of a fleet of thrown into renewed consternation by the appearance it left Bui River. East the of out up came which some seventy sail, This was the expedition to Rhode Island, our shores undisturbed. which was the means of securing for the British a prolonged lodgRhode Island was too remote, however, for ment in that quarter. with New York-- especially as during relations land ing any co-operat the British continuance in the former locality the field operations of east of the Hudthe contending armies did not once take a direction son River. And like the Rhode Island expedition, the various British attacks on Connecticut (with one minor exception) proceeded by water from New York, accomplishing nothing but local results. Consequently although Westchester County was continually exposed to the enemy at the south, and suffered terribly and without cessation from his incidental occupation and aggression, it was nor similarly exposed at the east, and, on account of the choice of other sections of the country than New England for the formal military campaigns, was almost wholly exempted, after the experience of 1776, from the presence of the foe in any pretentious array.