On the margin of his own copy of Stedman's History of the American War, (i. 211,) he wrote these words: " It " had been proposed to Sir William Howe that the troops should have "been marched to Harlem Point " [Hoern's Hook, at the mouth of the Harlem River, opposite Hell-gate,} " there met by the boats, passed to City "Orchard" [Cay-islandf] thence to Mill's Creek," [New Rqchelle-harbor, ] " and Rochelle. This was overruled; and the above move to Frog's " Point took place. Lord Howe objected to Mill's Creek, under an idea " that it would not be safe for ships to lay there."
8 Speech of Sir William Howe before a Committee of die House of Commons, April 29, 1779.
Although Throgg's-neck is only a short distance from where we have lived during the past twenty-seven years, we have never been on the ground ; and we have depended, for what we have said of it, on General Heath, {Memoirs, 67,) and on our unwearied friend, William H. De Lancey, Esq., who is familiar with that portion of the County.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
Hand, of the First Regiment of Continental Foot ; and, in doing so, he had "taken a view" of the causeway and the bridge, between the mainland and the Neck, at the western end of which a large quantity of cord-wood had been piled, ■' as advantageously situ- " ated to cover a party defending the pass, as if con- " structed for the very purpose," as he has stated. Considering it possible that the enemy might make a lodgment on Throgg's-neck, the General immediately ordered Colonel Hand to detail one of his best Subalterns and twenty-five picked men, to that pass, " as " their alarm-post, at all times," with orders, if the enemy should effect a landing on the Neck, immediately to take up the planks of the bridge ; to oppose the movement of the enemy, to the mainland ; and, in case the fire of the detachment should appear to be insufficient to check the advance of the enemy, over the causeway, to set fire to a tide-mill which stood on the mainland, at the western extremity of the bridge. 1 He also ordered Colonel Hand to detail anotherparty to guard the fording- place, at the head of the creek ; and to reinforce both these parties, if the enemy should effect a landing on the Neck; and he promised the Colonel that he should be properly supported.