For these reasons, we prefer to believe that the American lines were not, generally, furnished with an abatis.

2 Vide page 272, ante.

* General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " New-York, 30 November,

" 1776."

* General Heath said, (Memoirs, 79,) "the British having got posses- " sion of this hill, it gave them a vast advantage of the American lines, "almost down to the center;" and General Knox, in » letter to his

it necessary for the American Army to abandon the position, the work of strengthening its lines was continued, with unabated industry. 6

During Wednesday, the thirtieth of October, the King's troops were occupied in throwing up some defensive works and redoubts, on the Plain, in front of the American lines, 6 and an entrenchment on the summit of Chatterton's-hill ; 7 and, during the afternoon of the same day, four Regiments, from the lines on New- York-island, 8 and two Regiments of the Sixth Brigade, who had been posted at Mamaroneck, after the Queen's Rangers had been so "roughly

brother, dated "Near White-Plains, 32 miles from New- York, 1 " Nov : 1776," said "the enemy'B having possession of this hill obliged " us to abandon some slight lines thrown up on the White Plains."

5 There was something which required explanation in what was written by General Washington's Secretary and, undoubtedly, with his approval, to the President of the OongresB, when he said, " Our post, from " its situation, is not so advantageous as could be wished ; and was only " intended as temporary and occasional, till the Stores belonging to the " Army, which had been deposited, here, could be removed." -- (Colonel Robert H. Harrison to the President of the Congress, " White-Plains, 29 "October, 1776."