418 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



pained by Col. Hand, below the camp of tbe rifle corps, being apprehensive that 

 ill;' British might laud on Frog's Neck, took a view of the cause-way between 

 Westchester and the Point. Upon the neck, which runs between these two, is a 

 tide mill, and a plank bridge at the mill, at the west end of the causeway, ithe 

 side of the Am rican army,) was at this time a range of cord wood, as advantage- 

 ously Bituatcd to cover a party to defend the pass as if constructed for the very 

 purpose. Aiter taking a full view, our general directed Col. Hand, immediately 

 on his return to his camp, to fix upon one of the best subaltern officers, and 

 twenty-five picked men of his corps, and assign them to this pass, as their alarm- 

 post at all times : and in case the enemy made a landing on .Frog's Neck, to direct, 

 this oliic er immediately to take up the planks of the bridge ; to have everything 

 in readiness to set the mill on fire ; but not to do it, unless the fire of the riflemen 

 should appear insufficient to check the advance of tin: enemy on the causeway : 

 to assign another party to the head of the creek ; to reinforce both, in case the 

 enemy landed ; and that he should be supported. Col. Hand made his arrange- 

 ments accordingly." 



*• October 7th. — General Lincoln came to camp. He had come from Massa- 

 chusetts with a body of militia. This was the first of his joining the main army. 

 The same day the British were putting over horses from Horn's Hook to Long 

 Island, and fixing their pontoons." 



"October 9tu. — Our general's division was formed in line, with its advance, 

 reserve flank-xuards, and artillery, all in order of battle, when they were 

 moved down over the different grounds, which it was supposed might be the 

 scene of action. Some of this ground was very broken, and there were many 

 These afforded frequent opportunities for the troops to break off and 

 form, for the pioneers to open avenues, &c, and for the whole to become ac- 

 quainted with every part of the ground, and the best choice of it, if suddenly 

 to action." 



"October 12Tn.— Early in the morning eighty or ninety British boats, full of 

 men. stood up the Sound, from Montrcsor's Island, Long Island, &c. The tioops 

 I al Prog's Neck, and their advance pushed towards the causeway and 

 bridge at Westchester mill. Col. Hand's riflemen took up the planks of the 

 bridge, as had been directed, and commenced a firing with their rifles. The 

 British moved towards the head of the creek, but found here also the Americans 

 in possession of the pass. Our general immediately, (as he had assured Col. Hand 

 old,) ordered Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with his reigment, 

 : ut. Bryant, of the artillery, with a three pounder, to reinforce the 

 riflemen at Westchester causeway, and Col. Graham of the New York line, with 

 it, and Lieut. Jackson of the artillery, with a six pounder, to reinforce 

 at the head of the creek ; all of which was promptly done, to the check and dis- 

 appointment of the enemy. The British encamped on the neck. The riflemen 

 igers kept up a scattering popping at each other marsh ; and the 



:::.s on their side, and the British on the other, threw up a work at the 

 Capt. Bryant, now and then, when there was an object, 

 saluted the British with a fl< id i iece. 



" In the afternoon forty or fifty sail of vessels passed up, and came to anchor 



