manded by Major-general Heath ; those commanded, respectively, by Brigadier-generals Saltonstall, Sargent, and Hand were to form the Division to be commanded by Major-general Sullivan; and the Massachusetts Militia, then serving with the Army, was to be formed into a Division to be commanded by Major-general Lincoln. 1 At the same time, the General, in the most pressing terms, exhorted all Officers commanding Divisions, Brigades, and Regiments, to have their Officers and the men under their respective commands properly informed of what was expected from them, that no confusion might arise in case they should be suddenly called to action, which, there was no kind of doubt, was near at hand ; and he hoped and flattered himself that the only contention would be who should render the most acceptable service to his country and his posterity. He also desired that the Officers would be particularly attentive to the mens's Arms and ammunition, that there might be no deficiency or application for Caitridges when they were called into the field. 2

On Wednesday, the sixteenth of October, General Washington, accompanied by the other Generals, made a careiul reconnaissance of the ground at and near Pell's or Rodman's-neck, 3 towards which, it is very evident, his attention had been particularly directed, as the point towards which the next movement of the enemy would probably be directed. 4

With all the information, concerning " the enemy's " intention to surround " the American Army, which the General had been able to secure ; with all the knowledge which his personal and careful reconnaissance of the country had imparted to him ; and with all the intelligence concerning " the turbulence of " the disaffected in the upper parts of this State," which the Convention had communicated to him, he re-assembled the Council of War which had met and adjourned on the preceding Sunday, 5 [October 13;] and he laid all these matters before it, for its consideration.