When, after the winter of 1776-77, the river was again free from ice so as to be navigable, General Howe sent a squadron of war-vessels, with troops, to destroy or capture American stores, one of the principal depots for which was at Peekskill. General Mc- Dougall was, during the absence of General Heath, in command there, and, learning of the approach of the British, he undertook to remove most of the supplies to a place of greater security. The enemy landed five hundred men, with four field-pieces, at Lents Cove, on the southern side of Peekskill Bay. McDougall, w^hose command numbered less than three hundred, retreated, having set fire to his barracks and store-houses. He fell back about two miles on the road to Continental Village, where the stores had been sent, and occupied a strong post that Washington had noted in his reconnoissance after the battle of White Plains in the previous autumn. Colonel Willett hastened to McDougall's relief from Fort Constitution, and after a sharp skirmish the

NEAR FORT MONTGOMERY

The Spirit of '76 335 British decamped, returning down the river without having acconi])hshed the object of the expedition. This affair aroused new anxiet\' for the Highland passes and their defence. General George Clinton, who had command of the Highland forts, ordered out the militia of Westchester, Orange, and Dutchess counties. He also strengthened the chain previously extended across the ri\'er from Fort Montgomery. General McDougall. still in command at Peekskill, received instructions from Washington to co-operate with Clinton in ]cutting the fortifications in as perfect condition as possible for defence. Clinton was directed to put as large a force as he could spare on the mountains west of the ri\'er. General Greene was ordered to the Highlands to inspect the forts and re]3ort u])on the ])ossi1)ility of attacks b\- water or land.