57* HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



may be enumerated, Generals Washington, Clinton, McDougal, Lee, 

 Heath, Sterling, and Read, Colonels Haslet, Smallwood, Malcolm and 

 Glover; Majors Hand, Lee and Lieut. Fenno. On the British side, 

 Brigadier Ccnerals Leslie, Knyphausen, Rahl, De Heister, and Mat- 

 thews ; Lord Percy, Count Dunop, Colonel Ralle, Colonel Ritzema, and 

 Major Rogers, &c., &c 



The following letter of General George Clinton, dated Camp, at the 

 old Place near White Plains, Nov. 2d, 1776, to a friend, is copied from 

 the journal of the Provincial Congress : — 



My Deai: Snt:— "Your favors of the 30th and 31st ultimo, were left at my 

 tent a few minutes since. Since my last to you, dated the day before j-esterday, 

 the centre and right wing of our army having possessed themselves of the 

 heights in their rear, north-east of the road leading to Young's, j'esterday morn- 

 ing evacuated thai part of our lines which passed through the town, and south- 

 east of N , and fell back on those heights — firing all the barns, hay and corn 



stacks in front. This induced the enemy to believe we had again retreated ; and 

 determined to take the advantage of our apparent flight, their army instantly 

 moved forward into the part of our lines which.were evacuated. This brought 

 on a pretty brisk cannonade, though at too great a distance to do much execu- 

 tion. I lost one man, and had two wounded. I have heard of no other injury 

 done us. We are by the late movements now far advanced — in front, of course, 

 most exposed. The enemy retired to their former encampment in the evening, 

 leaving strong advanced pickets, and working parties who are busily employed 

 in erecting banks on the heights in and near the town. Deserters, (especially 

 from the Queen's light dragoons,) come daily over to us ; and now and then our 

 Rangers send in a straggling prisoner. Captain Van "Wick of my brigade, who, 

 at his earnest desire, was appointed to a company of rangers, was day before the 

 yesterday unfortunately killed. He went out in the morning with about thirty 

 men, and fell in with about one hundred of the enemy in a house not far distant 

 from their lines — charged them with spirit, gave them a brisk fire, but unfortun- 

 ately, when loading his piece the second time, was shot in the head, and fell 

 dead. His lieutenant shot down the man who killed his captain. The enemy 

 fled ; our party brought off their captain, and yesterday evening I had him in- 

 terred with the honors of war. He was a good man, and a valiant officer. Pray 

 communicate this sad news to his widow, (to whom I would write, had I leisure,) 

 in a manner that will least affect her. 



I know of no other news worth communicating you. Though in the camp, I 

 am not acquainted with the disposition of our army. Some brigades to the north- 

 east of us, in my humble opinion, are where they can do no good ; perhaps I am 

 mistaken. I am not well acquainted with the country. I must beg an answer 

 to my letter, wherein I desired you to ask a favor of the Convention. 

 I am, with the utmost esteem, 



Yours affectionately, GEORGE CLINTON. 



r.S.— I need not ask you to forward the enclosed. I know you will do it. 

 Though I determined never to meddle with the disposition of officers, I cannot 



