294 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

the subordination to obey the orders with whose execution he was intrusted, the skill to carry out the proposed plans of defence, or the ordinary common sense which he might reasonably have been expected to display in the face of an approaching enemy, we may justly attribute the deplorable results of this battle. In this connection we cannot forbear quoting the well-considered and forcible remarks of Henry B. Dawson, Esq., our ablest military historical writer, who says1 in regard to this very point:

“It is unquestionably the duty of the commander of a district to provide, not only the means of securing intelligence of every movement of his enemy, but for the protection of his position; and, especially when any peculiar pass, or bill, or bridge between him and the enemy would secure advantages to that enemy which would be dangerous to him, it is the unquestionable duty of the commander to occupy such position in force; or, in case he neglects it, the disgrace is his, and the responsibility for any evil effects arising from such neglect of duty devolves upon him. In fact, the commander is a sentinel whom the commander-in-chief or the government has placed to guard the interests of the people, and, like any other sentinel, he cannot sleep on his post without committing one of the highest crimes known to the military law.

“With these axioms before us, lot us examine, as far as the evidence goes, who commanded, and who slept on his post. It is said that General Greene commanded on Long Island, that the defences were thrown up under his direction, and that he was taken sick with a fever and left the island.2 It is said that General Sullivan then assumed the command;3 that, notwithstanding the enemy was still on Staten Island, he employed mounted patrols, at an expense of fifty dollars per night, to mount guard on roads which he saw the enemy might use in approaching New York;4 and that, on the 23d of August,—the day after the enemy’s army landed on Long Island, he was superseded by General Putnam.5 It is said, and has never been contradicted, that General Washington gave General Putnam positive instructions to guard the passes through the hills leading to

1 Battles of the United States, 148-150.

2 Gen. Greene to Gen. Washington, Aug. 15.

3 General Orders, Aug. 20.

4 His letter to Congress, Oct. 25, 1777.

5 Sparks’ Washington, p. 180.