Chapter II BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. The camp with General Washington fortified at White-plains in the month of October, 1776, was situate upon the elevated grounds at or near the northern extremity of the vil-lage. It was defended by two lines of intrenchments nearly parallel to each other, about four hundred yards apart, and extending in a direction nearly northeast and southwest. At the spot …

Different skirmishes, for the most part successful, had restored that self-confidence of which they had been deprived, after the retreat from Long Island. Their commander, however, saw clearly the defects and dan-ger of his situation. He was alone withheld from falling back upon the strong grounds in his rear, by the difficulties he encountered in the transportation of his sick and wounded and mil…

To this hill, Heath ordered Colonel Malcolm, with his regiment of New York infantry, and Lieutenant Fenno of the artillery, with a field-piece. These officers were directed to take post at the south brow of the hill and mask themselves in the skirts of the wood. The weakest part of the American position was the centre which stood upon a gentle elevation. The slope of the hill in front, along the v…

The occupation of the hill became in conse-quence indispensable. A militia regiment stationed there, had thrown up some works for its defense, but these being unfinished were of no utility. After the 21st of October, the British commander-in-chief was engaged for nearly a week in concentrating his forces, with great caution, in an encampment, formed upon the ele-vated grounds which extend along th…

The grenadiers of the Hessian regi-ments, having some time previously been formed into a dis-tinct corps under Colonel Count Donop, claimed and obtained upon this occasion, the post of honor on the right. Strong vanguards of light infantry and chasseurs with some guides, led the way. Numerous parties of these last and of pioneers, composed for the most part of the neighboring loyalists, followed i…

Rahl with his brig-ade at the same time moved briskly forward, attempting to turn the left flank of the Americans. It now became neces-sary for the levies to retire. But while falling back toward the main army, they formed from time to time behind the stone walls with which the country abounded and fired upon their antagonists, whose efforts were constantly directed against Spencer's flanks, with …

They allowed their adversaries to approach within a few yards, and then poured in upon them a volley so unexpected and destructive, that the Hessians retreated down the hill immediately and crossed the Bronx in disorder. Among the most active officers who took part in this skir-mish, was the late General Benjamin Tallmadge of Connecti-cut, who in the campaign of 1776 served under General Wads-wort…

He soon found himself between the adverse fires of his friends and enemies, and in consequence dismounted and filed off to the right. When the Hessians were repulsed, he again mounted and rode along the valley of the Bronx in search of General Washington, to whom he reported the situation of the troops of Chatterton Hill; the southern and southwest-ern slopes of which were now occupied by Spencer,…

While the King's army, with great pomp, was thus march-ing against the American camp, Washington, anxious for a position of greater security, had set forward to examine the grounds in his rear, attended by most of his general officers. He had been engaged in the reconnaissance for some time, when General Lee Spoke out with characteristic self-confidence and boldness. Pointing to some heights which…

The first solicitude of the American commander-in-chief was the security of Chatterton Hill, to which place Colonel Rufus Putnam, the self-taught engineer, at the head of a detachment of militia, had been sent, early in the morning, with directions to throw up some entrenchments. Pursuant to order Colonel Haslet, with the Delaware regi-ment, marched immediately for that post and took until the arr…

It was not until this moment that his rear-guard passed into the encampment, behind the troops on the hill, but in full view of the enemy. McDougall's brigade consisted of five regiments; that is to say, the remains of the First and third New York regiments under Colonel Ritzema, Smallwood's Marylanders, Webb's levies from Connecticut, and Brooks' Militia of Massachusetts. These regiments had been…

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 47 As the British forces now came within sight of the village of Whiteplains, they were cannonaded from the American lines. The Royal artillery-men thereupon, from time to time halted, unlimbered, and returned the hostile fire. This was continued a short time, but without much effect on either side. Soon after ten o'clock, the whole body of the enemy appeared in full v…

It soon became apparent that the British commander-in-chief, fear-ful for the safety of his left flank, would not venture to attack the American lines in front until he should have obtained pos-session of Chatterton Hill. Upon the highest grounds which extend along the eastern margin of the Bronx toward the southern extremity of Whiteplains, twelve or fifteen pieces of cannon, were at once placed …

Direc-tions at the same time were given for Colonel Rahl to charge the right flank of the Americans with his whole force, after the Hessians and British should have advanced upon them in front. To give decisive effect to their operations, Lieutenant-colonel Birch with the Seventeenth regiment of light drag-oons was placed under the command of Rahl. It was about noon when the British demonstration …

Ban-ners and pennons scarcely moved in a breeze too gentle to float them out before the anxious beholders. The bands of twenty regiments sent forth strains of martial music, and loud war songs were sung by the grenadiers of Donop, as they moved from the extreme right, to join in the attack. But all these sounds were drowned at momentary intervals, in the thunders of the cannonade. The Americans, i…

In consequence of recent rains the river was unusually high, and its passage was extremely difficult, its bed, at the foot of Chatterton Hill, being much obstructed by accumulated trunks of trees which had fallen in from time immemorial, and by remains of ancient beaver-dams. When they reached the banks of the stream, the Hessians loudly expressed their unwillingness to ford it. Preparations were …

This suggestion was also complied with, and the Maryland and the Third New York regiment were ordered forward. The Columns under Leslie and Donop were now perceived rapidly approaching the Bronx. "On my seeing," says Haslet, "the enemy's march to the creek begin in a column of their main body, and urging the necessity of bringing our field pieces immediately forward to bear on them, the general or…

The leading battalion of the enemy sustained a severe loss while halting upon the eastern bank of the stream; and some of the workmen at the bridge, killed or wounded, were seen falling headlong into the river. The Hessians for a sort time were in extreme disorder. General Leslie, fearful of the consequences, listened to the suggestion of his guide who offered to show him an easy ford, further dow…

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 51 had either forded the river or crossed the bridge, the moment it was rendered passable; their emulation being inflamed by the sudden advance of the British brigade. The enemy's whole force now formed and marched northerly under cover of the hill, until having gained sufficient ground, they faced to the left. Their column then became a line, parallel with the American…

Upon this occa-sion, the late unfortunate General William Hull was a captain in Webb's regiment, and is said to have distinguished himself for the first time in his military career. When the King's troops had got about half way up the hill, the cannonade, which for more than an hour had been incessantly directed upon McDougall's forces, was suddenly put an end to by the enemy's officers, for the r…

The British cavalry having managed to turn the left flank of their antagonists, cut off their retreat to the camp and chased them furiously over the hill in the westerly direction; killing and wounding some and making others prisoners. Notwithstanding the fierceness of the pursuit, it is related that about one hundred of the fugitives, urged by their officers, attempted a rally, after flying about…

The officer in immediate command of this part of the lines had received the most peremptory BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 53 Unable, however, to endure the bravado of the royal cava-liers, he directed two cannon to be discharged upon them simultaneously. One of these shots took effect in the midst of the enemy's squadron, killing or wounding one or two dragoons, and throwing another to the ground, …

Perceiving that any further effort to hold his post would be unavailing, he retreated to the Dobbs Ferry road near Chatterton's bridge, where he halted the New York and Maryland troops for the purpose of extricating Haslet from the enemy's grasp. With the same intention, Webb's levies were place behind a fence near the foot of the hill, not far from Haslet's left. Very soon afterwards the Delaware…

When Putnam arrived near the bridge, he found it entirely too late to regain a post from which a superior force had already driven the Americans. He therefore marched some distance south-erly, into the plain, and took a position, with the Bronx upon his right. Here he halted for a while, making a timely diversion in favor of McDougall, while the latter was retir-ing to the American lines. The acti…

In this position the enemy's troops lay upon their arms that night; and they continued with very little altera-tion, to encamp in the same attitude, for several days sub-sequently. The loss of the enemy during this action in killed and wounded was afterward acknowledged by them, to have been nearly three hundred. That of the Americans, which fell principally upon the New York and Maryland troops, …

At the com-mencement of the cannonade, Michael Chatterton, who lived at the foot of the hill, conducted his whole family to the cellar of the house, where they continued in safety until the termination of the action. The night after the battle was spent by the American Commander in strengthening his position, upon the centre and right. Additional redoubts were formed. Most of the neighboring trees…

During the whole of this night, which the sur-vivors afterward described as the most miserable of their lives, the Americans, expecting an attack, were either on the alert under arms, or working uncovered in their trenches. They were engaged in different places, at this time, in the construction of redoubts, lines and abatis, both for the pro-tection of the position they were then in, and for the …

Accordingly, during the night of the last day of October, the Americans evacuated their works at Whiteplains, setting fire to several barns and to one or two dwelling houses containing forage and stores that could not be removed. They entered upon the new ground by a backward wheel. The extreme left near Horton's Mill, remained where it had been, and formed the pivot upon which the whole army move…

The right and centre of the British army got under arms in haste and took possession of the grounds from which Washington's troops had retired. A strong force of cavalry and artillery, supported by several columns of infantry, then marched upon the American left, against which a furious can-nonade was commenced. This was answered with a spirit and effect by the field-pieces of Captain Bryant and L…

When about three quar-ter's of a mile from Miller's Hill, they wheeled to the left, crossed the Bronx, and advanced northwesterly, for the purpose of taking possession of Travis' Hill. This was emin-ence opposite Colonel Glover's position which it commanded. When they were preparing to ascend the hill, Colonel Glover unmasked his battery and surprised his adversaries by an animated fire, which at …

In the night time, the British lighted up a vast number of fires, the weather growing pretty cold. These fires, some on the level ground, some at the foot of the hill, and at all distances to their brows, some of which were lofty, seemed to the eye to mix with the stars, and to be of different magnitudes. The American side, doubtless, exhibited to them a similar appearance." Washington now, with…

The tops being placed inwards, as the loose earth was thrown upon them, became as so many ties to the work, which was carried up with a dispatch scarcely conceivable." The quiet that for three days had reigned in the hostile armies, was put an end to on the night of the 4th, by a busy hum which proceeded from the enemy's camp, and increased with the advance of daylight, when the rumbling of artil…

Colonel Malcolm immediately sent fifty men from his regiment, to take possession of the Court House, and ordered a company of rangers under his command, to reconnoitre toward the east and south. None of Washington's officers probably felt so much re-lieved by the withdrawal of the enemy as the worthy and patriotic Malcolm, who for eight days had maintained a perilous position on Merritt's Hill, wi…

Major Austin was immediately brought to trial before a Court Martial which sentenced him to be reprimanded, but General Lee ordered a new Court Martial "with a charge of wanton, cruel and barbarous treatment of helpless women and children, not only unworthy the character of an officer, but of a human creature." On this second trial it appeared, that one of the houses burnt was filled with women an…

BATTLE OF WHITEPLAINS, ETC. 61 and were often without bayonets. So great was the deficiency of these latter weapons, that some of the men were furnished with pikes hastily and roughly manufactured, for the purpose of resisting the British cavalry. The want of bayonets was one reason why upon Chatterton Hill, the levies and militia fled before the Seventeenth light dragoons. Washington seems to hav…

It consisted of at least fourteen thousand men, in the highest state of health, discipline and equipment; in-cluding two regiments of light dragoons. Where he could, the American commander-in-chief placed his irregulars under cover of intrenchments; in which position he knew they would behave well. At Chatterton Hill, however, most of them re-mained firm under a long continued cannonade, although …

His hesitation and timidity at Whiteplains have generally been accounted for, by his unwillingness to attack American troops, when covered by any kind of intrenchments. He commanded for the King at the battle of Bunker's Hill, and the dear-bought experience of that day is supposed to have influenced him throughout the rest of his military life. Three days after the battle of Whiteplains, Captain V…

Generally speaking, the people of Westchester were, at this time, averse to separation from Great Britain. The royal officers, averse to separation from Great Britain. The royal officers, in consequence, earnestly endeavored to prevent their soldiers from plundering. Notwithstanding these efforts, the farmers suffered much; chiefly in the loss of provisions and cattle, and in the destruction of th…

Previously to the war of independence, feats of a personal prowess, dexterity, and strength were customary and popular with the inhabitants of Westchester. Among the most cel-ebrated champions of his day, both as a wrestler and a fighter, was a young man of Whiteplains, named Gilbert Hatfield, whose father, on the near approach of the enemy, had retired to a place of safety, leaving his house and …

The house selected for his temporary residence stood hard by the road, and was owned and occupied by the widow Annetjie Miller. Subse-quently his dinner happened to be served up at a moment when General Washington and his staff halted at the door, on their return to camp from a reconnaissance. An invita-tion to alight and partake of refreshment was of course ex-tended to the Commander-in-chief and…

Miller's house, they read the chalk advertisement, broke out into a hearty laugh at this sample of uncourtliness in a man whose eccen-tricities were known to all, and then pushed home, in great glee, for their own tables. The day before the battle, by General Lee's advice, Mrs. Miller removed a short distance to the interior, taking with her, her family, and some necessary furniture. She left for …

The tailor refused to give up so important a part of his material, and the general himself on being ap-pealed to, showed at first a strong inclination to hold on. However, after a while, but with a bad grace, he resigned the curtains into the hands of their fair manufacturess. The late General Philip Van Courtland used to tell a story of General Lee, which exhibited at the same time, the peculiar …

"It was at this time," said Van Courtland, "currently reported and believed in the American camp, that Lee's stock of shirts was reduced to three, and that these were in a state of such dilapidation, that he himself bestowed upon them the ap-propriate names of Tag, Rag and Bobtail. Having been in-vited to dine at headquarters, the following dialogue was said to have occurred between him and his va…