On the 4th of October the expedition up the Hudson got under way. Its advance consisted of two ships-of-war, three tenders, and a large number of flatboals, and a second division followed comprising one large man-of-war, five topsail vessels, and numerous small craft. A stop was made at Tarrytown, where troops were landed and marched several miles into the country. But this maneuver, says Irving, was only a feint to distract attention. At night the men were re-embarked, and the next morning the whole force of some-

EVENTS

1777 AND

thing more than 3,000 was set ashore at Verplanck's Point. This was the morning of the 5th of October -- one year, lacking seven days, from the date of the first British enterprise in Westchester County at Tkrogg's Point. General Putnam, with his weak command at Peekskill, of course could not advance to engage such a body. His ingenuous soul could uot surmise any guile in the foe who thus in broad daylight had lauded under his eye, and his valorous instincts rejected all doubt that the knightly Sir Henry would come straight on and fight him. He foil back to the passes, posted himself there, sent to Governor Clinton at Port Montgomery for all the soldiers he could spare, and awaited the convenience of the enemy, who meantime showed a surprisingly leisurely disposition. There was no attack that day, night fell, and Putnam looked for the morrow with hopeful expectancy. Put before daybreak Sir Henry transported 2,000 of his force from Verplanck's Point to the wholly unprotected west shore, leaving 1,00(1 behind to keep up the appearance of a meditated movement on Putnam. Then, with his main body, he made the circuit of the Dunderberg, marched without experiencing the least detention through those mountain passes which Washington's board of generals in May had reported were so exceedingly difficult that they would never be attempted, easily overcame the small corps sent to check him, and, in two divisions of a thousand men each, fell upon Forts Clinton and Montgomery from the rear.