1 66 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



"On the 28th, three deserters, one a Hessian musician with his horn, 

 came in from the enemy. They confirmed the testimony of the former 

 deserter, that the body of the British army had left the points."* On 

 the 2d or July, Col. Rufus Putnam reconnoitered the enemy's positions 

 at Verplanck's and Stoney Points." 6 



Subsequent to the brilliant attack and capture of Stony Point under 

 General Wayne, 13th of July, 1779, lt: was resolved to attack this post, 

 "Stony Point, (says Gen. Heath,) having been taken with so much eclat 

 to the American arms, Gen. Washington determined an attempt on 

 Verplank's Point, on the east side of the Hudson, and opposite to Stony 

 Point. For this purpose Major Gen. Howe with two brigades and some 

 12-pounders on travelling, was ordered to proceed by the way of Peek- 

 skill, throw a bridge over the creek, move on the point, and open bat- 

 teries on the enemy's works, while a cannonading and bombardment was 

 kept up across the river from Stony Point." 



July 17, 1779, at about 10 o'clock, A.M., General Heath while out 

 reconnoitreing, received by express from Gen. Washington, orders to 

 move as expeditiously as possible to Peekskill, where he would find 

 Gen. Howe with two brigades. Gen. Heath was to take command of 

 the whole, and carry into effect the orders which had been given to Gen. 

 Howe. Gen. Heath returned immediately to the troops, and at 12 

 o'clock began to march towards Peekskill — marched until dusk, 15 

 miles, when the troops halted and laid down to rest on the side of the 

 road, the dragoons not unsaddling their horses. 



At 3 o'clock the next morning, the troops resumed their march, and 

 in the afternoon Gen. Heath received information from Gen. Howe, by 

 express, that Gen. Clinton was in full march with his whole army to- 

 wards Verplank's Point. An answer was returned, at what point the troops 

 then were, and that they were marching as fast as the men could endure, 

 and would continue so until they reached him. When the troops had 

 advanced a little to the westward of Drake's farm, Col. Mayland came 

 up from Gen. Howe with information that a part of Clinton's army were 

 then above the new bridge on Croton river, pushing for the Point; and 

 that he was retreating from the Point as fast as possible. On this Gen. 

 Heath ordered Gen. Huntington with his brigade and two field pieces 

 to push forward as fast as the troops could march and keep in breath, 

 and take a position on the high ground to the south of Peekskill, which 

 commands the road to the Point, and also that to the new bridge on 

 Croton river ; and ordered a regiment to file off to the right and secure 



a Heath's Memories, 206. 

 6 Heath's Memoirs, 207. 



