November, 1776, to September, 1783 159 



drawn up by hand almost within pistol shot of the enemy, as 

 the hill was so steep that the gun could not be depressed enough 

 to do execution without getting close. Two shots were fired 

 which opened breaches in the wall, whereupon the British 

 fled precipitately toward Kingsbridge. Two Americans were 

 killed and several were wounded. This skirmish has given 

 the name "Gun Hill" to the hill and road to the westward of 

 the Williamsbridge railroad station. 



While it was not the ultimate intention to besiege Fort 

 Independence, everything was done by the Americans to make 

 the enemy believe that the attack was a serious one, with the 

 hope of drawing him out of his strongholds. A detachment 

 was sent down to Morrisania to light a large number of fires, 

 and a number of flat boats was sent to the same place, with 

 the intention of making him believe that a strong force was 

 gathering for a descent upon York Island. This so alarmed 

 the guard at Montressor's (Randall's) Island, that they fired 

 the buildings and fled to New York; and, it is stated that a 

 brigade was sent to reinforce Fort Washington, and orders 

 sent to Rhode Island for a detachment from that place. 



On the twenty-ninth, there was every appearance of a heavy 

 snow-storm, and the generals having unanimously agreed that 

 it was impracticable to assault the fort with militia, the troops 

 were ordered to withdraw, and this time, in earnest. A good 

 deal of forage was carried off, and the divisions returned in a 

 heavy fall of snow to their former positions at Dobbs Ferry, 

 New Rochelle, and White Plains. The whole force, with the 

 exception of a few artillerymen, consisted of militia. It was 

 one of the few times during the war when they showed them- 

 selves capable and reliable ; and this too for ten days and in the 

 midst of winter. 



On the thirtieth, the storm cleared up, and a fleet of twenty 



