292 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

several other British ships already in the Sound. Their movements were such as to induce the belief that they intended shortly to make an attack upon the city, which Washington foresaw could not be successfully defended in the present dispirited condition of his troops, scantily supplied as they were with provisions, clothes, and ammunition. The counsels and opinions which agitated the American camp, at this critical juncture of affairs, were diverse. Suffice it to say that the untoward circumstances which surrounded them, as well as the increased activity of the enemy, combined to urge them to a prompt retreat from the city. Of this retreat, which forms so interesting a link in the history of our Revolution, we shall not speak at length. Suffice it to say that on the 13th of September the main body of the army moved towards Mount Washington and Kingsbridge, leaving a rearguard of four thousand men, under General Putnam, in the city. On the 16th Washington established his headquarters at the Morris mansion on Harlem Heights.

On the 15th occurred the occupation of New York island by the British, which is thus described by Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, an eyewitness: “In the evening of the 14th,1 the Phoenix and Dutchess of Gordon frigates passed Now York, with a large number of batteaux: the frigates anchored opposite Kip’s Bay,2 where the Rose joined them. The batteaux were placed near the (Long Island) shore, at the house of Peter Kolyer.3 Early on the morning of the 15th, a division of the British army marched from Brooklyn, through Bushwick, to the shore at Mr. Kolyer’s, where they embarked on board of the batteaux at high-water. About 7 o’clock the ships opened a heavy fire of round and grape shot upon the shore, to scour off the enemy. The firing continued an hour and a half: when the leading boats passed the ships, the firing ceased. The boats passed to the shore, and all the troops landed in safety. We may be incorrect as to dates, but the facts are as stated. I saw the scene. It was a fine morning, and the spectacle was sublime. Thomas Skillman, of Bushwick, and John Vandervoort, and Jacob Bloom, of Brooklyn, with their families, were at Kip’s Bay, in the house of Mr.

1 We correct Gen. Johnson’s dates.

2 Foot of 34th street, New York.

3 On site now occupied by residence of Mr. Samuel Sneeden, Greenpoint.