136 The Story of The Bronx 



sentinel opposite, who was taking no precautions to conceal 

 himself; and, in consequence, a lively fusillade ensued. The 

 officers soon stopped the firing, the American captain indig- 

 nantly remonstrated, the British captain apologized, relieved 

 the offending sentry and punished him, and the condition of 

 neutrality was resumed. 



On September twenty-fourth, an attempt was made by the 

 Americans, under Colonel Jackson and Major Henly, to sur- 

 prise the British garrison on the island. The latter officer 

 was on General Heath's staff, and was so importunate in his 

 requests to be allowed to accompany the party that the Gen- 

 eral rather unwillingly consented, as the expedition gave every 

 promise of success without serious danger. The American 

 sentries had been cautioned to pay no attention to the passage 

 of the boats down the stream ; but one fool thought he knew 

 better than his officers and insisted on challenging the boats, 

 and finally fired on them, thus, no doubt, awakening the vigi- 

 lance of the British sentries. The boats came abreast of the 

 island in silence and arranged themselves in the order pre- 

 viously agreed upon for the attack. There was a whispered 

 word of command, and Colonel Jackson's boat led the way in 

 the darkness. As it approached the shore the pickets fired 

 on it, but it kept on until its keel grated on the shore. Officers 

 and men jumped ashore and attempted to rush the camp; but 

 the force in their front was too strong for them, and they were 

 obliged to fall back, as they were not supported. As they did 

 so, Major Henly fell mortally wounded. The well-planned 

 attack had failed, and all because of the cowardice of the 

 officers in the other boats, not one of whom followed the boat 

 of his commander and supported it. They were afterwards 

 court-martialled and cashiered for cowardice. The loss of 

 the Americans was twenty-two, including Major Henly, who 



