CHAPTER XXXIV.

Movements of the Enemy

Councils of War

Question of the Abandonment of the City - Distribution of the Army Ships in the East River The Enemy at Hell Gate Skirmish at Turtle Bay Panic of the Connecticut Militia - Rage and Personal Peril of Washington -Putnam's Perilous Retreat from the City - British Regale at Murray Hill.

SINCE the retreat from Brooklyn, Washington had narrowly watched the movements of the enemy to discover their further plans. Their whole force, excepting about four thousand men, had been transferred from Staten to Long Island. A great part was encamped on the peninsula between Newtown Inlet and Flushing Bay. A battery had been thrown up near the extremity of the peninsula, to check an American battery at Horen's Hook opposite, and to command the mouth of Harlem River. Troops were subsequently stationed on the islands about Hell Gate. "It is evident," writes Washington, "the enemy mean to inclose us on the island of New York, by taking post in our rear, while the shipping secures the front, and thus, by cutting off our communication with the country, oblige us to fight them on their own terms, or surrender at discretion; or by a brilliant stroke endeavor to cut this army in pieces, and secure the collection of arms and stores, which, they well know, we shall not be able soon to replace.'

The question was, how could their plans be most successfully opposed? On every side, he saw a choice of difficulties; every measure was to be formed with some apprehension that all the troops would not do their duty. History, experience, the opinions of able friends. in Europe, the fears of the enemy, even the declarations of Congress, all concurred in demonstrating that the war on the American side should be defensive; a war of posts; that, on all occasions, a general action should be

* Letter to the President of Congress.

1776.]

COUNCILS OF WAR.

303

avoided, and nothing put at risk unnecessarily. "With
these views," said Washington, "and being fully persuaded
that it would be presumption to draw out our young
troops into open ground against their superiors, both in
number and discipline, I have never spared the spade
and pickaxe."

In a council of war, held on the 7th of September,
the question was discussed, whether the city should be
defended or evacuated. All admitted that it would not
be tenable should it be cannonaded and bombarded.
Several of the council, among whom was General Putnam,
were for a total and immediate removal from the city;
urging that one part of the army might be cut off before
the other could support it; the extremities being at least
sixteen miles apart, and the whole, when collected, being
inferior to the enemy. By removing, they would deprive
the enemy of the advantage of their ships; they would
keep them at bay; put nothing at hazard; keep the army
together to be recruited another year, and preserve the
unspent stores and the heavy artillery. Washington.
himself inclined to this opinion. Others, however, were
unwilling to abandon a place which had been fortified
with great cost and labor, and seemed defensible; and
which, by some, had been considered the key to the
northern country; it might dispirit the troops, and en-
feeble the cause. General Mercer, wo was prevented by
illness from attending the council, communicated his
opinion by letter. "We should keep New York if pos-
sible," said he, "as the acquiring of it will give eclat to
the arms of Great Britain, afford the soldiers good quarters,
and furnish a safe harbor for the fleet."

General Greene, also, being still unwell, conveyed his opinion in a letter to Washington, dated Sept. 5th. He advised that the army should abandon both city and

island, and post itself at King's Bridge and along the Westchester shore. That there was no object to be obtained by holding any position below King's Bridge. The enemy might throw troops on Manhattan Island, from their camps on Long Island, and their ships on the Hudson, and form an intrenched line across it, between the city and the middle division of the army, and support the two flanks of the line by their shipping. In such case, it would be necessary to fight them on disadvantageous terms or submit.

The city and island, he observed, were objects not to be put in competition with the general interests of America. Two thirds of the city and suburbs belonged to tories; there was no great reason, therefore, to run any considerable risk in its defence. The honor and interest of America required a general and speedy retreat. But as the enemy, once in possession, could never be dislodged without a superior naval force; as the place would furnish them with excellent winter quarters and barrack room, and an abundant market, he advised to burn both city and suburbs before retreating.*

Well might the poor, harassed citizens feel hysterical, threatened as they were by sea and land, and their very defenders debating the policy of burning their houses over their heads. Fortunately for them, Congress had expressly forbidden that any harm should be done to New York, trusting, that though the enemy might occupy it for a time, it would ultimately be regained.

After much discussion a middle course was adopted. Putnam with five thousand men, was to be stationed in the city. Heath, with nine thousand was to keep guard on the upper part of the island, and oppose any attempt

*Force's Am. Archives, 5th Series, ii. 182.

ed

WES &

1776.]

SHIPS OF WAR IN THE SOUND.

305

of the enemy to land. His troops, among whom were Magaw's, Shee's, Hand's, and Miles's Pennsylvania battalions, and Haslet's Delaware regiment, were posted about King's Bridge and its vicinity.

The third division, composed principally of militia, was under the command of Generals Greene and Spencer, the former of whom, however, was still unwell. It was stationed about the centre of the island, chiefly along Turtle Bay and Kip's Bay, where strong works had been thrown up, to guard against any landing of troops from the ships or from the encampments on Long Island. It was also to hold itself ready to support either of the other divisions. Washington himself had his head-quarters at a short distance from the city. A resolution of Congress, passed the 10th of September, left the occupation or abandonment of the city entirely at Washington's discretion. Nearly the whole of his officers, too, in a second council of war, retracted their former opinion, and determined that the removal of his army was not only prudent, but absolutely necessary. Three members of the council, however, Generals Spencer, Heath, and George Clinton, tenaciously held to the former decision.

Convinced of the propriety of evacuation, Washington prepared for it by ordering the removal of all stores, excepting such as were indispensable for the subsistence of the troops while they remained. A letter from a Rhode Island officer, on a visit to New York, gives an idea of its agitations. "On the 13th of September, just after dinner, three frigates and a forty-gun ship sailed up the East River with a gentle breeze, toward Hell Gate, and kept up an incessant fire, assisted by the cannon at Governor's Island. The batteries of the city returned the ships the like salutation. Three men agape, Life of Washington. II.

20

idle spectators, had the misfortune of being killed by one cannon ball. One shot struck within six feet of General Washington, as he was on horseback riding into the fort."

On the 14th, Washington's baggage was removed to King's Bridge, where head-quarters were to be transferred the same evening; it being clear that the enemy were preparing to encompass him on the island. "It is now a trial of skill whether they will or not," writes Colonel Reed, "and every night we lie down with the most anxious fears for the fate of to-morrow.”**

About sunset of the same day, six more ships, two of them men-of-war, passed up the Sound and joined those above. Within half an hour came expresses spurring to head-quarters, one from Mifflin at King's Bridge, the other from Colonel Sargent at Horen's Hook. Three or four thousand of the enemy were crossing at Hell Gate to the islands at the mouth of Harlem River, where numbers were already encamped. An immediate landing at Harlem, or Morrisania, was apprehended. Washington was instantly in the saddle, spurring to Harlem Heights. The night, however, passed away quietly. In the morning the enemy commenced operations. Three ships of war stood up the Hudson, 'causing a most tremendous firing, assisted by the cannons of Governor's Island, which firing was returned from the city as well as the scarcity of heavy cannon would allow.” *** The ships anchored opposite Bloomingdale, a few miles above the city, and put a stop to the removal by water of stores and provisions to Dobbs' Ferry. About eleven o'clock, the ships in the East

*Col. Babcock to Gov. Cooke. Am. Archives, 5th Series, ii. 443, **Reed to Mrs. Reed.

- *** Letter of Col. Babcock to Gov. Cooke.