57° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



landed with his forces on Throg's Neck, Gen. Washington withdrew all 

 his army — except a garrison at Fort Washington, a very strongly fortified 

 position, and considered impregnable. But treason can do what valor 

 and skill cannot. 



Gen. Howe, as we shall see, had good reason to change his whole 

 plan; and that cause was, the treason of a commissioned officer of the 

 American army. Four years before, the traitor Arnold attempted to 

 betray West Point. A similar, but more successful traitor, betrayed 

 Mount Washington. On the 2d of November, 1776, Adjutant Magaw, 

 passed undiscovered, out of Fort Washington into the British camp, con- 

 veying the plans of the fort and full information as to all its works and 

 garrison, and placed them in the hands of Lord Percy. 



On the 15th of November, the grand army of Howe, that was seen in 

 such splendor in White Plains but a short time before, now gathered 

 around the doomed fortress of Mt. Washington, and it soon fell by the 

 treachery of a traitor whose infamy ought to be known, and his name 

 branded with that contempt that traitors only deserve. 



The following additional particulars respecting the engagement on 

 Chatterton's hill are contained in Gen. Heath's Memoirs: — 



27th of October, "In the forenoon, a heavy cannonade was heard towards 

 Fort Washington. Thirteen Hessians and two or three British soldiers were 

 sent in on this day. From the American camp to the west, south-west, there 

 appeared to be a very commanding height, worthy of attention. The Com- 

 mander-in-Chief ordered the general officers who were off duty, to attend 

 him to reconnoiter this ground, on this morning. When arrived at the ground, 

 although very commanding, it did not appear so much so, as other grounds to 

 the north, and almost parallel with the left of the army, as it was then formed. 

 ''Yonder," says Major Gen. Lee, pointing to the grounds just mentioned, "is 

 the ground we ought to occupy." "Let us then go and view it," replied the 

 Commander-in-Chief. When on the way, a light horseman came up on full 

 gallop, his horse almost out of breath, and addressed General Washington — 

 "The British are in the camp, sir." The General observed, "Gentlemen, we 

 have now other business than reconnoitring," putting his horse in full gallop for 

 the camp, and followed by the other officers. When arrived at head-quarters, 

 the Adjutant-General, (Read,) who had remained at camp, informed the Com- 

 mander-in-Chief, that the guards had been all beat in, and the whole Ameri- 

 can army were now at their respective posts, in order of battle. The Com- 

 mander-in-Chief turned round to the officers, and only said, "Gentlemen, you 

 will repair to your respective post, and do the best you can." "Our General, 

 1,) on arriving at his own division, found them all in the lines ; and, from 

 the height of his posts, found that the first attack was directed against the 

 Americans on Chatterton's hill. The little river Bronx, which ran between the 

 American right and this hill, after running round its north side, turned and ran 

 down on the cast and south-east. The British advanced in two columns. At 



