HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 295

Brooklyn;1 it is said, also without contradiction, that General Sullivan, his predecessor and second in command, enforced the same measures on his attention;2 it is known that, although the enemy, in full force, was encamped within four or five miles, opposite two of those very passes, General Putnam never reconnoitred that enemy's position—in fact, that he never left Brooklyn;3 and it is equally well. known that, although the enemy was then encamped at Flatbush, the mounted patrols which General Sullivan had established,4 as well as the guards at some of the passes established by General Greene, were withdrawn,5 leaving the country clear for the enemy’s secret movements, and the passes conveniently unguarded for his especial accommodation. It is also a well-established fact, that no general officer was outside the lines at Brooklyn, on the night of the 26th, until the advance of General Grant was made known to General Putnam, at three oÕclock, when Generals Sullivan and Lord Stirling were dispatched to Flatbush and the Bay Road, to oppose the movements in those quarters.6

It From these facts, it appears conclusively that General Putnam paid no attention to the orders of General Washington, respecting the security of the passes, and that the advice of General Sullivan, on the same subject, was also disregarded, his patrols withdrawn, and the command outside the lines, where his knowledge of the ground rendered him peculiarly useful, taken from him and given to another;7 that, with an enemy encamped in full. force within a few

1 “At the same time, I would have you form a proper line of defence around your encampment and works, on the most advantageous grounds.” “The woods should be secured by abatis, etc., where necessary, to make the enemy's approach as difficult as possible. Traps and ambuscades should be laid for their parties, if you find they are sent out after cattle,” etc.—Orders to Gen. Putnam, Aug. 25.

2 Gen. Sullivan’s letter to Congress, Oct. 25, 1777.

3 Thompson’s Long Island, i. p. 222.

4 Gen. Sullivan to Cong., Oct. 25, 1777. The “patrol” which Gen. Clinton captured was a party of officers, not a regular patrol (ante, p. 266, note). 5 This is shown by Gen. Howe, in his dispatch, where he says: “The General, learning that the rebels had not occupied the pass, detached a battalion of light-infantry to secure it,” ete.

6 See Lord Stirling’s letter to Gen. Washington, Aug. 29 ; Gen. Sullivan’s letter to Congress, Oct. 25, 1777.

7 Gen. Sullivan, to Congress, Oct. 25, 1777, says Lord Stirling was ordered to the command outside the lines, while he was ordered to remain within the lines, as Gen. Putnam’s second in command.