The latter lay in two lines, resting on the Hudson at Dobbs Ferry, covered by batteries, and extending toward the Nepperhan River; while their allies were in a single line on the hills farther east, reaching to the Bronx. The left of the French position was at Chattel-ton's Hill, the scene of the battle of October 28, 1776. A very pleasing description of the united encampment is given by Irving in his Life of Washington : " It was a lovely country for a summer encampment, breezy hills commanding wide prospects, umbrageous valleys watered by bright pastoral streams, the Bronx, the Sprain, and the Nepperhan, and abounding with never failing springs. The French encampment made a gallant display along the Greenburgh hills. Some of the officers, young men of rank, to whom this was all a service of romance, took a pride in decorating their tents and forming little gardens in their vicinity. ' We have a charming position among rocks and under magnificent tulip trees,' writes one of them, the Count Dumas. General Washington was an object of their enthusiasm. He visited the tents they had so gayly embellished, for, with all his gravity, he was fond of the company of young men. They were apprised of his coming, and set out on their camp tables plans

OPERATIONS

of the battle of Trenton, of West Point, and other scenes connected with the war. The greatest harmony prevailed between the armies. The two commanders had their respective headquarters in farm houses, and occasionally, on festive occasions, long tables were spread in the adjacent barns, which were converted into banquet halls." In Rochambeau's army were many notable officers, the flower of the French army. Some of these were the Baron Viomenil, commanding the Bourbonnais. the oldest regiment of France; the Count de Viomenil, his brother; the Chevalier de Chastelleux; the Count do Custine and the Duke de Lauzun, both of whom fell under the guillotine; Berthier, at the time aide-decamp to Rochambeau and later one of Napoleon's field marshals; and the Count de Fersen, who distinguished himself at Yorktown and during the stormy days of the French Revolution was conspicuous in his devotion to the royal family.