When General Greene, who was at Fort Constitution, as Fort Lee was then called, heard of the movement of the enemy, he wrote to General Washington, stating that three Brigades, at that time in New Jersey, were in readiness to be sent over the river, for the reinforcement of the main Army ; and he hoped, if the force which was then on the eastern side of the river was insufficient to repel the enemy, that those Brigades, and he with them, might be ordered to cross the river, for its reinforcement, during the latter part of the coming night, as the enemy's shipping might move up, from below, and impede, if they should not totally stop, the troops from crossing. 2 But the proffered help was not accepted ; 3 and Greene, notwithstanding his honorable anxiety, appears to have remained in New Jersey, without having received any answer to either his offer of help or his reasonable enquiries.

But the interregnum continued only during a few hours ; and, gradually, the reason of the Commanderin-chief resumed its sway, his mental and physical strength was restored, and he was, again, the responsible head of the American Army. During the evening, as we have already seen, the Brigade commanded by General McDougal was ordered to move for the reinforcement of General Heath's command; 4 and,

1 " Our men, who are posted on the passes, seemed to be in great spir- "ite, when I left them last night." {Letter to the President of the Congress, "Heights of Harlem, 12 October, 1776," postscript, dated, " Oc- "toberl3th.")