It is very probable that it was that accidental separation of the Begiments composing the Bupport of the Hessian forlorn-hope, and the consequent assault on the Americans in three distinct movements, which led Captain Hull, (in Campbell's Revolutionary Services and Civil Life of General William Hull, 65,) to suppose the assault had been originally ordered to be made, in that manner.

» In what manner the assaulting party crossed the Bronx-river has been made the subject of the speculations of several modern writers, led and, probably, inspired by the unscrupulous John C. Hamilton, (HUtory of the Republic of the United States, i.. 133,) who said the Hessian forlom-hope "refused to wade the tangled stream ; and a temporary bridge was begun" and, finally, completed,-of which bridge, he related several incidents

WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

order in which we have named them, for the support of the shivering, half-drowned Germans, who were undoubtedly waiting, on the western bank of the stream, for their co-operation.

When the movement of the assaulting party, toward the ford, was seen from the summit of the hill, Colonel Haslet applied to General McDougal for the two fieldpieces, in order that a fire might be opened on the advancing column ; but General McDougal spared only one of the two guns ; and that was so poorly appointed that the Colonel was obliged, personally, to assist in dragging it along the rear of his Regiment, to the place where he desired to post it. While it was being thus slowly dragged along the rear of the line of Americans, it is said that a shot from the Hessian guns struck its carriage, scattering the shot, etc., and leaving a wad of tow blazing in the middle of the dbbrvs. With the exception of a single man, who " was prevailed upon to tread out the blaze and col- " lect the shot," " all the Artillery-men fled," leaving Colonel Haslet and the field-piece entirely unsupported ; but it appears that some of these later fugitives returned ; made a couple of discharges on the enemy ; and then retired, " with the field-piece," not to be seen again, until after they were securely quarof each of which his father's Company of Artillery and his father were, invariably, the principal subjects.