Previously to the war these divisions, as represented in the board of supervisors, were the Manor of Cortlandt, Ryck's Patent [Peekskill], White Plains, Bedford, Rye, North Castle, Westchester Town, Mamaroneck, Poundridge, Philipseburgh Manor, Scarsdale Manor, Eastehester, Salem, Pelham, and New Rochelle. The board of supervisors had only a nominal existence during the Revolution. The spring of 1777 glided by without the slightest manifestation by the enemy of their fundamental plans for the coming campaign. The rumors of an approaching invasion from Canada became increasingly definite, but meantime the purposes of the great British army at hand, still commanded by General Howe, remained unfathomable. Washington was still encamped behind strong intrenchments in New Jersey, this side of the Delaware, and the British army also continued on New Jersey soil. At last, in June, Howe began certain offensive movements, as if intending to resume his march to Philadelphia. These demonstrations were purely deceptive, to draw Washington out of his intrenchments and bring him to battle. They occasioned some active skirmishing, but that was all. Seeing that the patriot general was not thus to be lured to his ruin, Howe, on the 30th of June, withdrew all his forces to New York, by way of Staten Island. Now followed more than two months of anxious suspense for Washington. Positive news was received about this time of the descent of Burgoy ne's splendidly appointed host from Canada. Burgoyne, of course, would be dealt with by the Northern Army under Schuyler, assisted by the militia of the section through which he passed; but what were the intentions of Howe with his large New York command? Would he co-operate with Burgoyne by ascending the Hudson River? If so, would he use all his forces to that end, or only a portion, employing the remainder for an expedition by sea against Philadelphia or Boston?