Congress, vol. i. 723. b Journal of X. Y. Prov. Congress, vol. i. T29.

THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. _ 567

to obtain command of the two principal routes leading to New England, one througli Rye and tlie other by the way of Bedford, and thereby cut olT the American army from its supphes, principally derived from the East, and obtain the rear of General "Washington's army, and force him to a general battle, or tO' a precipitate retreat. But Washington pentrated their intentions, and conducted bis forces northward from King's Bridge with great slvill, moving in a line parallel with the British, a little in advance of them, facing them constantly, with the Bronx in his front, which was fortified at every assailable point.

"On the 12th of October, '76, a portion of the British army, consisting of the Guard, Light Infantry reserve, and Colonel Duuop's Corps landed at Throg's Neck ; and the night of that day. Colonel William Smith, (then a Lieutenant,) with a Corporal's guard, broke down the bridge connecting the Neck witli West. Chester town, and left Sir William Hov;e upon an island. On the ICth and 17th of October, the English forces at Throg's Neck were augmented by the 1st, 2nd and 6th Brigades crossing from Long Island, and by the 3d Hessian battalion from New York. On the ISth, the whole British army crossed to Pelham Point, and marching northerly, encamped the s:i,uie night on the high ground between Hutchinson's River and New Rochelle village, where it remained till the 21st. On the 21st, the British removed and encamped on New Rochelle heights, north of the village, and on both sides of the road leading to Scarsdalc. This camp was broken up on the 25th, and the army moved forward to a position upon the high grounds in Scarsdale, in the vicinity of the late John Bennett's farm, and there remained till the morning of the 28th of October.