Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution

•of its duty, to the country and to the world : " As the " enemy seem, now, to be endeavouring to strike some " stroke, before the close of the Campaign," were his words, " the General most earnestly conjures both Offi- " cers and men, if they have any love for their country " and concern for its liberties and regard to the safety "of their parents, wives, children, and countrymen, " that they will act with bravery and spirit, becoming " the cause in which they are engaged ; and to encour- " age and animate them so to do, there is every ad- " vantage of ground and situation, so that, if we do " not conquer, it must be our own faults. How much " better will it be to die honourably, fighting in the " field, than to return home, covered with shame and " disgrace, even if the cruelty of the enemy should "allow you to return! A brave and gallant beha- " viour, for a few days, and patience, under some lit- " tie hardships, may save our country and enable us " to go into Winter-quarters with safety and honour."

On the morning of the fourteenth of October, General Heath, with all the Generals under his command, reconnoitred the enemy, on Throgg's-neck; 2 and, soon afterwards, General Washington, accompanied by the Generals of the Army who were at Head-quarters, also visited all the posts, beyond Kingsbridge, and the several passes and roadways which led from Throgg's-neck and from the adjacent Necks, into the country, 8 acquainting himself, as far as he could do so, by personal reconnaissance, with the strength and position and purposes of the enemy ; with the character and condition of the outlets, from Throgg's-neck and from the other similar, but lesser, Necks, in that vicinity, from which the enemy might incline to move into the interior of the County; with the capabilities, for defensive purposes, which those outlets severally possessed ; and with the necessities, for military purposes, which each of these several subjects presented, for his attention.