Supposing that one of the objects of General Howe was to turn the flank of the lines; to seize the bridge over the Croton-river ; and, thereby, to cut off the communication of the Army with the upper country, General Washington detached General Eezin Beall, with three fine Regiments of Marylanders, to occupy that very important pass; and General Lord Stirling was ordered, with the Brigade which he commanded, " to keep pace with the enemy's left flank, and to ■' push up, also, to Croton-river, should he plainly " perceive that the enemy's route lays that way." 5 At the same time that the Army was being rapidly diminished by the desertions of the Militia, 6 to say nothing of stragglers,' those who remained at their

1 Vide page 253, ante.

2 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " New- York, 30 November, " 1776 j " [Hall's] History of Ike Civil War in America, i., 209 ; Stedman's History of the American War, i., 215 ; etc.

• How's Diary, October 30 ; Littrr from Lieutenant colonel Tilghman to his father, "White-Plains, 31 October, 1770."

4 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " New York, 30 November, " 1776 ; " [Hall's] History of the Civil War in America, i., 209 ; Stedman's History of the American War, i., 215 ; etc.

6 Lieutenant-colonel Tilghman to William Duer, "White-Plains, October 31, 1776."

o" Our Army is decreasing, fast: several gentlemen who have come " to Camp, within a few days, have observed large numbers of Militia " returning home, on the different roads."-- (Colonel Robert H. Harmon to the President of the Congress, " White-Plain6, October 31, 1776.")