General Lincoln crossed to the west bank, and from the Palisades reconnoitered the Manhattan Island forts. To his disappointment he discovered that a large body of the enemy was encamped there. Thus his intended surprise of Kingsbridge was made impracticable. He returned to his boats and remained in them till before dawn of the 3d, when he landed his men and guns and advanced to a height opposite Kingsbridge ( the site of the former Fort Independence) in order to support de Lauzun in his attack on de Lancey. Tint ill-luck attended this attempt also. He was discovered by a strong foraying party of the enemy, which came across the bridge just about daybreak, and skirmishing ensued the noise of which alarmed de Lancey at Morrisania. De Lauzun had arrived at Williams's Bridge during the night of the 2d, and after giving his men a few hours' rest, was just preparing to move against de Lancey. But the latter, apprised of his danger by the tiring at Kingsbridge, hastened away and was soon safe on Manhattan Island. Meantime Washington, with remarkable celerity, had brought the main army down from Peekskill. Leaving his tents standing, he quitted the camp at three o'clock on the morning of the 2d. The march was made without baggage, so as to execute it in the briefest possible time. There were only two halts -- one at Croton Bridge and the other beside the Sleepy Hollow Church near Tarrytown. Valentine's Hill (Yonkers), four miles above Kingsbridge, was reached by sunrise of the 3d. and there Washington stopped to await the result of the movements below. At the same time the French army was on t lie way from < Connecticut. This well-planned and in all its parts perfectly well-executed demonstration failed totally. Its collapse affords striking testimony of the sound sense of Washington in discouraging proposed expeditions against New York throughout the Revolution.