THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 569 



The hist stand was made by the Americans behind a fence at the top of the hill, 

 where the Delaware regiment and part of McDougal's brigade, twice repulsed 

 the British Light Infantry and Cavalry. At length compelled to retreat, it was 

 done in good order over the bridge at the foot of the hill, under cover of some 

 regiments detached by Washington from his main army. The militia and a few 

 of the regulars were dispersed among the hills of Greenburgh, but soon returned 

 to Head Quarters. The British forces engaged in that attack, were the flower of 

 the army, consisting of the second brigade of British, the 5th, 28th and 49th 

 regiments, Raid's battalion, the Hessian Grenadiers, under Dunop, and a party 

 of Light Dragoons, all commanded by General Leslie. 



"That General Washington did make a successful stand at this place, has 

 ever excited the wonder of military men. His troops were greatly inferior in 

 numbers and discipline, and composed in part of militia and raw recruits. After 

 the battle, the enemy for several days attempted to gain Washington's rear, 

 tried to alarm him and induce him to retreat or fight by threatening his flanks. 

 At several times they formed a semi-circle about him. On the night of the 31st 

 of October, Washington evacuated his camp at White Plains* and established his 

 new position in the hills of Northcastle, about one mile in the rear of his former 

 encampment, when the British appear to have relinquished all further offensive 

 operations. At the advance of the British armj r to White Plains, the Whig fam- 

 ilies were seen hurrying, unprotected before them, with thin clothing and a 

 scanty supply of provisions, to seek shelter for the coming winter, they knew 

 not where. Desolation and famine marked the fair region over which the two 

 armies passed. The English army finding all attempts to circumvent General 

 Washington hopeless, broke up their camp at White Plains, on the 5th of Nov- 

 ember, and retired to Dobb's Ferry, and from thence to King's Bridge, where 

 thny encamped on the 13th of that month. 



'"Thus ended in Westchester, for the year '76, the movements of the British 

 army; but soon the inhabitants of the North were overrun by loyalists from 

 Morrisania, and for a long time without protection, were exposed to every dan- 

 ger and suffering. In short, till the peace of 1782, Westchester was the battle- 

 ground of the disaffected, and the prey of both friend and foe. Scenes of 

 cruelty and bloodshed unknown in civilized warfare, marked their partizan en- 

 gagements, and in the defence of their homes, her valiant sons exhibited frequent 

 instances of personal bravery unexcelled in ancient or modern times. Among 

 the most daring were the guides — such men as Abraham Dyckman, Cornelius 

 Oakley and John Odell. In the darkness of night they have often surprised and 

 carried off captains, officers and men, under the guns of the British forts at Mor- 

 risania, or in small parties amused themselves by beating up De Lancey's quar- 

 ters. Frequent alarms had made them watchful of surprise, and success rendered 

 them reckless of danger, till they became the chosen leaders of each dangerous 

 enterprise against the enemy. 



Why Gen. Howe so suddenly left the battle-field at White Plains has 

 been a mystery to many, but the following may explain it : " When he 



a At the east end of the village is still to be seen the remains of Washington's encamp- 

 ment. Of this nothing is left but a small portion of the embankment that runs partly across 

 the street, on the surface of which rests a mutilated howitzer. This relic of the past was 

 disinterred near the spot it occupies. 



