As soon as the commencement of the engage ment was announced, Washington passed over to Brooklyn from York Island. His military eye immediately perceived the impossibility of re trieving the fortunes of the day; the forces already engaged were entirely too feeble to contend with the overwhelming superiority of the British general, and no reinforcements from the main nrmy could have enabled the Americans to keep the field with a chance of success. Unwilling to attempt a movement which could only have produced a waste of human lives, while it staked the whole fortune of America on the hazard of a single die, he confined his exertions to the safe withdrawal of the troops within the fortified lines, and to preparations for a general retreat from the island, 'lbw rendered in evitable by circumstances. In the meantime he exhibited so imposing a front to the enemy, that Sir William Howe and his elated army were de terred from a bold and immediate attack, and their advances were conducted with all the cautious for malities of a regular siege.
On the night of the 23th, that celebrated retreat was effected, which gained for the American leader so distinguished a name among the warriors of the earth. With the triumphant array of the British army in front, and a powerful fleet prepared to intercept him in the rear,Washington withdrew across a broad river his defeated forces, and all his military stores and artillery, except a small quan tity of provisions, and sonic heavy guns. In the morning the rising sun displayed to the astonished Britons the last American dkisions crossing the waters, and already far beyond the reach of annoy ance or pursuit.
The American forces were now concentrated upon York Island; and the movements of the hostile army and fleet began plainly to indicate that there was no intention to leave them undis turbed. The great importance attached by Con gress to the preservation of the city, was fully appreciated by the American commander; but when it became obvious that Sir William Howe's plan was to cut off all his communications by taking post in his rear, while the front was effec tually guarded by the shipping, Washington's judgment was soon satisfied that no course could be prudent or advisable short of immediate evacu ation. The daily advances of the British rendering the American position every day more critical, brought a large majority of the council of war to the same opinion; and New York was abandoned with a serious loss in heavy cannon and military stores. The American army fell back to the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge, where it strongly fortified itself; while Howe, alter taking military possession of his important conquest, immediately moved in pursuit, and encamped in front of the in trenchments. The policy of Washington was now to renew the courage and increase the discipline of his troops by frequent skirmishes, without ven turing on any considerable engagement; some set ere contests accordingly took place, which pro duced honourable results, though not decisive of any very important consequence. General Howe,
on the contrary, was bent upon bringing on a general action; and as his adversary became more enterprising in attack, he increased his circum spection in guarding every vulnerable point. The English army marched always in close column; its encampments were compact and guarded by artil lery. When demonstrations upon the American rear, both b) land and water, seriously endangered the connexion with the country, Washington re tired towards the White Plains, where he again entered into 'wrenched lines, with the enemy in front.
Sir William Howe now made every preparation for storming the American camp, and on the 25th of October tl' British forces were drawn up for that purpose ';‘: tine of battle. A hill on the Ame rican right, occupied by General with sixteen hundred men, chiefly militia, was the first point of attack. and was assailed with great vig-mr. The regular troops from Maryland and New York, commanded by Smallwood and Reit zimer, disputed the ground with remarkable firm ness and audacity, and it was not until after a loss on each side of between three and four hundred men, that the Americans retreated to the main body, and the British remained masters of the post.
Washington continued in his intrenchments, fully prepared for the threatened assault; the English general, however, changed his plans, and now con sidered it advisable to wait for expected reinforce ments under Lord Percy. Several days were spent in mutual observation, until these troops arrived; the American commander then retired to the heights of Newcastle, where his position was so strong as to induce General dl owe to abandon his designs against the main army, and to direct his movements to other objects.
As soon as the British forces began slowly to retreat down the Hudson, Washington perceived their plan of operations. In his letters to congress, to the governor of New Jersey, and to General Greene, he expressed his firm conviction that the enemy meditated the investment of Fort Wash ington, and the invasion of the Jerseys; and he strongly that the men and stores in the former post should not be exposed to unne cessary hazard. From a mistaken confidence in the strength of the fort, this counsel was neglected; and Sir William Howe, after carrying the out works by assault, received the surrender of the garrison, who became prisoners of war. The loss thus sustained was the most important that had ever yet visited the American cause. The useless nature of the post itself had been repeatedly de monstrated by the safe passage of British vessels; but twenty-five hundred good soldiers, with a ma gazine of military stores, were not to be replaced in those days of adversity and discouragement. The evacuation of Fort Lee was immediately de termined upon and effected, though with the aban donment of cannon, tents, and provisions.