rmy, greatly superior in numbers, under General Howe, whose
delay in attaching the Americans enabled Washington to take up an
unassailable position at North Castle, preparatory to his subsequent
masterly retreat across New Jersey._]

CHAPTER VI.

The British land at Frog's Neck.... The American army
evacuates York Island, except fort Washington.... Both
armies move towards the White Plains.... Battle of the White
Plains.... The British army returns to Kingsbridge....
General Washington crosses the North river.... The lines of
fort Washington carried by the British, and the garrison
made prisoners.... Evacuation of fort Lee.... Weakness of
the American army.... Ineffectual attempts to raise the
militia.... General Washington retreats through Jersey....
General Washington crosses the Delaware.... Danger of
Philadelphia.... Capture of General Lee.... The British go
into winter quarters.... Battle of Trenton.... Of
Princeton.... Firmness of congress.

{1776}

{October 9.}

The armies did not long retain their position on York Island. General
Howe was sensible of the strength of the American camp, and was not
disposed to force it. His plan was to compel General Washington to
abandon it, or to give battle in a situation in which a defeat must be
attended with the total destruction of his army. With this view, after
throwing up entrenchments on M'Gowan's hill for the protection of New
York, he determined to gain the rear of the American camp, by the New
England road, and also to possess himself of the North river above
Kingsbridge. To assure himself of the practicability of acquiring the
command of the river, three frigates passed up it under the fire from
fort Washington, and from the opposite post on the Jersey shore,
afterwards called fort Lee, without sustaining any injury from the
batteries, or being impeded by the chevaux-de-frise which had been
sunk in the channel between those forts.

{Twelfth.}

[Sidenote: The enemy land at Frog's Neck.]

This point being ascertained, he embarked a great part of his army on
board flat bottomed boats, and, passing through Hurl Gate into the
Sound, landed at Frog's Neck, about nine miles from the camp on the
heights of Haerlem.

In consequence of this movement, Washington strengthened the post at
Kingsbridge, and detached some regiments to West Chester for the
purpose of skirmishing with the enemy, so