Home / Dawson, Henry B. Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution. Morrisania, NY: (privately printed by the author), 1886. / Passage

Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution

Dawson, Henry B. Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution. Morrisania, NY: (privately printed by the author), 1886. 357 words

Brigade was immediately hatted, the men were ordered to prime and load their pieces, and the rear Kegiment was ordered " to file off by the left and to " march, briskly, to reinforce the Americans, at the " pass, at the head of the creek ;" that, while the Brigade was thus halted, General Washington rode up, inquired and was informed of "the state of things;" ordered General Heath to return, immediately, evidently with all the troops who were with him, and to have the entire Division which he commanded formed, ready for action, and to take such a position as should appear to be best adapted for holding the. enemy in cheek, if he should attempt to effect a landing at Morrisania, which the Commander-in-chief " thought not improbable ; " and that such a disposition as was thus ordered, was promptly made of the three Brigades commanded, respectively, by Brigadier-generals Parsons, Scott, and George Clinton, of whom the Division commanded by Major-general Heath was then composed. 1 Indeed, notwithstanding the evident movement of the main body of the enemy, from Throgg's-neck, to the eastward, the controlling suspicion, to which we have already alluded, 2 that the real intention of General Howe was to deceive General Washington and, instead of making Pell's-neck or some other point further to the eastward the base of his operations, to effect a landing at Morrisania; to move from that point, us his base; and to take the Americans, on the Heights of Harlem, on their left flank or on their rear, induced General Washington to do little more, during that day, [Friday, October 18,] than to watch the movements of the enemy ; to extend his line of detached parties, along the high grounds on the western bank of the Bronx-river, northward, as rapidly as the enemy should show an inclination to move, in force, in that direction ; to continue the Head-quarters of the Army on the Heights of Harlem ; and to hold the main body of that Army in constant readiness to move in whatever direction it should become necessary to confront and oppose the enemy.