HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 289

observation, that a retreat had been decided upon by the Americans. With vengeful readiness, therefore, she secretly sent her slave, on the evening previous, to inform the British commander of the facts. The negro, however, first came upon a Hessian guard, who, not understanding his language, and believing him to be a spy, detained him until morning, when he was handed over to a British officer who was making his round of inspection at daylight. Howe was astonished at the negro's story. A company, under Captain Montressor, was detached to reconnoitre the American works, which they found deserted.1 Detachments hurried off in hot pursuit; but they only reached the ferry in time to see the heavily-laden rear boats of the retreating army disappear in the impenetrable fog which yet hung over the river.2 Nobly had the

yards off. When the sun rose we bad orders to leave the lines, but before we reached the ferry the regiment was ordered back again. Colonel Chester faced about and returned to the lines, where the regiment tarried till the sun had risen; but the fog remained as dense as ever. Finally a second order came, and we joyfully bade those trenches a long adieu. When we reached Brooklyn ferry the boats had not yet returned from their last trip, but they soon appeared. I think I saw General Washington on the ferry-stairs when I stepped into one of the last boats. I left my horse at the ferry, tied to a post. The troops having all safely reached Now York, and the fog continuing thick as ever, I got leave to return, with a crew of volunteers, for my favorite horse. I had got off with him some distance into the river before the enemy appeared in Brooklyn. As soon as they reached the ferry we were saluted merrily from their musketry, and finally by their field-pieces. When the enemy had taken possession of the heights opposite the city of New York they commenced firing from the artillery, and the fleet pretty soon were in motion to take possession of those waters.”

1 A British account of the battle, in the Parliamentary Register, vol. xiii., says: “They were reconnoitring before daybreak, and at four o’clock discovered the lines were evacuated. The pickets marched twenty-five minutes after. General Robertson heard of the retreat at seven o’clock, and his brigade was ordered to march at eight; but, while marching to the ferry, he was ordered towards Hell-Gate to meet Lee, reported to be landing there with an army. We were on the rear of the enemy; some were killed or taken prisoners in Brooklyn. We saw three or four boats afloat—some boats not off. The debris of their rearguard. embarked about eight or nine o’clock.” The Hessian account (Max von Elking) says that the British “were astonished, on the following morning (30th), to see the lines deserted, which were immediately occupied by the Hessian regiments von Donop and von Lemberg. Col. von Heeringen, who had, in the night between the 29th and 30th, occupied a hill near the Hudson, had first discovered the desertion of the American lines, and sent Lieut. Zoll to report it to Howe. The English headquarters was so much vexed by the escape of the Amercans, that it deeply regretted having prevented the troops from storming the heights on the 27th.”

2 Washington’s letter to Congress, Aug. 31, 1776. The guns of Fort Stirling were