140 The Story of The Bronx 



had recovered his usual composure, and again took immediate 

 and active charge of the movements of his troops, sending the 

 necessary brigades and regiments to the support of Heath at 

 ■Westchester, inspecting and patrolling his own lines and 

 impressing the outposts with the necessity of being extra 

 vigilant. At the first intimation of Howe's movement to 

 Throgg's Neck, Washington had believed it to be a feint and 

 that the real movement was to be by way of Morrisania; but 

 on the thirteenth, he became convinced that the movement 

 was a real one with the object of confining his army to the 

 Harlem shore and cutting it off from the upper county. 



Throgg's Neck is virtually an island, being cut off from the 

 mainland by several tidal creeks and low, marshy meadows, 

 which are awash at high tide. Its only connection with the 

 mainland at that time was the causeway and bridge over 

 Westchester Creek at the borough-town. Howe was blamed 

 for selecting Throgg's Neck for his landing place instead of 

 Pell's Point (Rodman's Neck), a much better place for the 

 object he had in view; but it appears that he gave way to 

 the representations of his brother, the Admiral, who, from 

 the charts and information he had, stated that Eastchester Bay 

 was too shallow for his ships to cover the landing, while at 

 Throgg's Neck there was plenty of water. We must remem- 

 ber that, as there was no steam in those days, the vessels were 

 dependent upon the winds and tides. 



As early as October third, Heath had inspected this neigh- 

 borhood and placed alarm posts at the bridge and at the head 

 of Westchester Creek, where the stream was fordable, with 

 orders to give him immediate notice of any movement of the 

 enemy, should they attempt to land at Throgg's Neck; and 

 he promised, in the event of a British advance, to send reinforce- 

 ments at once. The men at the outposts consisted of Colonel 



