On Friday, the eighth of November, two Battalions of Light Infantry and the remainder of the Chasseurs, with four field-pieces, took post on the line of communication with Kingsbridge ; 15 and, on the part of the Americans, the troops belonging to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the more Southern States, began to file off, from the lines which were occupied by the American Army, " as fast as our situation and circum- " stances would admit, in order to be transported over " the river, with all expedition." l6

On Saturday, the ninth of November, the Division commanded by General Heath, who had performed so distinguished a part in the military operations, in Westchester-county, was moved from the extreme left

Congress, "In Committee of Safety, for the State of New York, "Fishkill, November 28, 1776."

10 Report of the General Court-martial, held by order of Major-general Lee, for the trial of Major Austin, "Philipsburg, November 12, 1776."

11 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " New- York, 30 November, " 1776 ;" [Hall's] History of the Civil War in America, i., 211, 212 ; etc.

12 General Washington to the President of the Congress, "White-Plains, "6 November, 1776."

The Council referred to agreed, unanimously, that, in case the enemy was really retreating towards New York, it would be proper, immediately to throw a body of troops, into New Jersey ; that those troops who were irom the States to the westward of the Hudson, should be thus detached, the others to be subject to " the movements of the enemy and "the circumstances of the American Army ;" and that three thousand men should be detailed to take post at Peekskill and the passes in the Highlands, for the defence of those posts, for erecting fortifications, etc.