Macdonald's Research Notes

"Dated Head Quarters, at the Heights of Haerlem, Sept. 23, 1776." "On Monday morning last (Sept. ) several parties of the enemy appeared on the high grounds opposite to our heights, & some skirmishing had happened between our troops & those of the enemy. On reconnoitering their situation, I formed *16* design of cutting off each of them as had or might advance to the extremity of the wood. I accordingly ordered 3 companies of Virginia rifleman, under the command of Major Leitch & Col. Knowlton, with his rangers, to endeavor to get in their rear, while an apparent disposition was making as if to at*:

:tack them in front. The enemy ran down the hill with great eagerness to attack the party in front; but, unluckily, from some mistake or mis: :apprehension, the parties under Major Leitch & Col. Knowlton began to fire on their flank instead of their rear. - The Major was soon brought off the field wounded, & Col. Knowlton soon received a wound, of wh [which] he is since dead. Their men, however, behaved with the greatest resolution. Finding that they wanted assistance, I advanced part of Col. Griffith's & Col. Richard: :son's Maryland regiments, with some detachments of Eastern Troops, who charged the enemy & drove them from the wood to the plain, & were still pur :suing, when I judged it prudent to withdraw them, fearing the enemy might be sending a large reinforcement to their troops which were enga: :ged, which was the case, as I have since understood. A sergeant who deserted from the enemy has informed me their party was greater than I imagined; as it consisted of the 2nd battalion of light infantry, a battalion of Royal Highlanders, & 3 companies of Hessian riflemen, under the command of Genl.