One thousand were detached for this puq-jose ; but the weather having grown warm in the night, the ice v:as judged, by the unanimous opinion of all the general officers on the ground, to be too hazardous, on the morning of the 20th, to venture the attempt. On this day there was a cannonade on both sides, and the enemy on the island side were thrown into much confusion. Our General observed that when the enemy within the island were cannonaded across Haarlem Creek, they sheltered themselves behind the Httle hill near tlie bri.-!ge, next to Spitten Devil Creek. On this afternoon he rode round on to Tijjpctt's Hill, v,-hich was in its rear, and found that a fieldpiece, drawn up on that side, would leave the enemy no hiding place. On the 2 1st, a cannonade eommenced again on both sides. In the afternoon a field-piece was hauled up to Tippett's Hill, and the enemy being canno^saded both in front and rear, they were thrown into the utmost confusion : some secured themselves in their redoubt, others under the banks ; some lay flat on the ground, and some betook themselves to the cellars: so that in -a short time there was no object for the gunners."*
The principal fort now standing on the neck is situated a little south of the residence of Mr. Whiting, on the property of ^Ir. John Ewings. It is in the form of a hollow square, with banks fifteen or twenty feet
o Tti'.kur'a a "... iN of N'o-.vtown, L. I., p. 335-340. & II..\t;ii'3M't!i. 110.