er what was then Harlem Heights, as far
as Washington's head-quarters in the country mansion overlooking the
Harlem River above Harlem Plains. It was the house of Roger Morris, a
royalist who had fled at the approach of the American soldiers, and it
still stands at 160th Street close by St. Nicholas Avenue. On the
heights and in the valley a battle was fought, beginning with a light
engagement quite early in the day, with more and more men of both armies
gradually joining in until there were 5,000 Americans against 6,000
British, with several thousand of each side held in reserve.

[Illustration: Map of Manhattan Island in 1776, Showing the American
Defences &c.]

The battle ended in the afternoon with the defeat of the British, who
lost 200 of their number.

This was a great victory for the Americans, who fought against superior
numbers--great because the men had lost heart after the defeat on Long
Island, and the forced retreat from the city. There was sorrow for the
dead, for even victories have a sad side. Every one of the 100 American
soldiers who were killed that day were brave men, and though all their
names are not written in history, the manner of their death urged on
their companions in the days that followed.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE BRITISH FAIL to SWEEP EVERYTHING BEFORE THEM

On the fourth day after the battle of Harlem Heights the soldiers of
England were making themselves comfortable in New York when a great
fire broke out. It swept over the city and 500 houses crumbled and fell
in ashes before it was controlled. Almost the entire western part of
the city was consumed, St. Paul's Chapel being the only building of
importance that was saved. Almost all who favored the American cause had
fled. But a few remained, and there was a hint that these had started
the fire. The British soldiers were angered when they saw the city they
had just entered burning, and while the flames roared and the houses
fell they rushed about and in their rage dashed out the brains of the
citizens who sought to beat back the flames from their homes. But it
was afterward learned that the fire had started in quite an accidental
manner.

A little while after this General Howe moved with the greater part of
the British army up the East River, and sailing on past the Island of
Manhattan, landed on the mainland beyond in Westchester. In this way the
British were in the rear of the Americans, and within a few days the two
armi