342 Journal and Correspondence

York and Retreat to our Lines below Fort Washington, the
military Stores &c. had been removing some Days, when on
the 15^th Sep^r the Enemy effected a Landing on several parts
of the Island below, (and it is cutting to say without the least
opposition) I have often read and heard of Instances of
Cowardice, but hitherto have had but a faint Idea of it,
'till now I never could have thought Human Nature subject
to such Baseness—I could wish the Transactions of this Day
blotted out of the Annals of America,—nothing appeared but
Flight Disgrace and Confusion, let it suffice to say that 60
Light Infantry upon the First Fire put to flight two Brigades
of the Connecticut Troops—Wretches, who, however strange
it may appear, from the Brigadier General down to the
Private Sentinal, were caned and whip'd by the Generals
Washington Putnam & Miflin, but e'ven this Indignity had no
Weight they could not be brought to stand one Shot—Gen^l
Washington expressly sent and drew our Regiment from its
Brigade, to march down towards New York, to cover the
Retreat and to defend the Baggage, with direction to take
Possession of an Advantageous Eminence near the Enemy
upon the Main Road, where we remained under Arms the
best part of the Day, till Sergant's Brigade came in with
their Baggage, who were the last Troops coming in, upon
which the Enemy divided their Main Body into two Columns,
one filing off on the North River endeavored to Flank and
surround us, the other advancing in good order slowly up the
Main Road upon us, we had orders to retreat, in good order
which was done, our Corps getting within the Lines a little
after Dusk—The next Day about 1000 of them made an
Attempt upon our Lines, and were first attacked by the brave
Col. Knolton of New England who lost his Life in the Action,
and the 3^d Virginia Regiment, who were immediately joined
by Three Independant Comp^s under Major Price & some
part of the Maryland Flying Camp who drove them back to
their Lines, it is supposed with the Loss of 400 Men kill'd
and wounded-—Our Party had about 100 Kill'd and Wounded,
of the former only 15.—Since which we have been viewing
each other at a Distance and strongly intrenching till the 9^th
October, when three of their Men of War, pass'd up the
North River above Kings bridge, under a very heavy Can-
nonade from our Batteries which has effectually cut off our
Communication, by Water, with Albany—I must now break
off Abruptly being ordered to march up above Kings bridge,
the Enemy having Landed 6000 Men from the Sound on
Frog's Point. 50 Ships are got up there, landing more
Troops, there is nothing left but to Fight them, an engage-
ment is generally expected and soon, have enclosed a Copy