But, either made impatient by the desertions that were rapidly reducing his army, or rendered bold by the apparent disinclination of the superior American force to oppose him, or swayed from his purpose by the councils of his officers, he determined, upon the 7th of October, "to make a grand movement on the left of the American camj), to discover whether he could force a jxassage, should it be necessary to advance, or dislodge it from its position, should he have to retreat." Hidden b}' the intervening forest, with fifteen hundred picked troops formed within a mile of the American left, the British commander dispatched a reconnoitring part}' to gain the rear of Gates's position and feign an attack to cover the actual assault. But through the watchfulness of the Americans this ])lan resulted in a complete failure. A counter-plan of attack was arranged l)y which Morgan, with his riflemen, was to win the hills on Burgoyne 's right, while the New York and New Hampshire troops, under General Poor, with a part of Learned 's brigade, were to make

^66 The Hudson River

a vigorous attack ujDon the Hessian artillery and grenadiers on the left. The New Yorkers, with their New Hampshire comrades, did magnificent work that day. The Hessian gunners, serving their artillery with the precision and

THE RAPIDS BELOW GLENS FALLS

effectiveness of well-trained veterans, were amazed to see the Americans advance without hesitation in the face of a rain of grape-shot. The grenadiers, unused to meeting opponents who could stand before them, found it impossible to meet this impetuous onslaught. The guns were taken and retaken, both sides fighting stubbornly, till at last the Americans drove their