It was evident to Washington and his officers that the plan of the British was to enclose us on the island of New York, by taking posts in our rear, while the shipping secures the front, and thus, by cutting off our communication with the country, oblige us to tight them on their own terms or surrender at discretion; or by a briUiant stroke endeavour to cut this army to pieces and secure the collection of arms and stores, which, they well know, we shall not soon be able to replace.

On the 7 th of September the question of the abandonment of the city was discussed and the council of war finally decided upon a partial withdrawal. Putnam, who had been strongly in favour of evacuation, was to be left in the city with five thousand soldiers, while Heath was to keep the upper part of the island with nine thousand, opposing the attempts of the enemy to land. A third division, under command of Generals Greene and Spencer, was stationed near Turtle and Kipp's bays, on the East River. According to several authorities Washington had his head-

The Island and the River in 1776 173

quarters in the old Apthorpe mansion, a short distance out of the city, on the Hudson Ri\'er side. Congress having left the decision relating to the evacuation of New York entirely to the Commanderin-chief, and nearly all of his officers determining, upon a second council being held, that retreat was a necessity, preparations were rapidly made to complete the withdrawal of the Continental forces. The attack of the British, concentrated upon the forces under Greene and Spencer, on the 15th, precipitated the movement. The Connecticut levies at Kipp's Bay and Turtle Bay fled, making hardly any resistance. The presence and almost frantic opposition of Washington himself did not serve to check the panic into which they were thrown.