. The works of Washington Irving. surpass the patience and benig-nant sympathy with which he listened to them,and endeavored to allay their fears. Again heurged the Convention to carry out their meas-ures for the removal of these defenseless be-ings. There are many, writes he, whoanxiously wish to remove, but have not themeans. On the 24th he crossed over to Brooklyn, toinspect the lines and reconnoiter the neighbor-hood. In this visit he felt sensibly the wantof General Greenes presence, to explain hisplans and point out the localities. The American advanced posts were in thewooded hills. Col
. The works of Washington Irving. surpass the patience and benig-nant sympathy with which he listened to them,and endeavored to allay their fears. Again heurged the Convention to carry out their meas-ures for the removal of these defenseless be-ings. There are many, writes he, whoanxiously wish to remove, but have not themeans. On the 24th he crossed over to Brooklyn, toinspect the lines and reconnoiter the neighbor-hood. In this visit he felt sensibly the wantof General Greenes presence, to explain hisplans and point out the localities. The American advanced posts were in thewooded hills. Colonel Hand, with his rifle-men, kept watch over the central road, and astrong redoubt had been thrown up in front ofthe pass, to check any advance of the enemyfrom Flatbush, Another road leading fromFlatbush to Bedford, by which the enemymight get round to the left of the works atBrooklyn, was guarded by two regiments, oneunder Colonel Williams, posted on the northside of the ridge, the other by a Pennsylvania VOL. III.—13 10; d. rifle regiment, under Colonel Miles, posted onthe south side. The enemy were stretchedalong the country beyond the chain of hills. As yet, nothing had taken place but skir-mishing and irregular firing between the out-posts. It was with deep concern Washingtonnoticed a prevalent disorder and confusion inthe camp. There was a want of system amongthe ofiScers, and co-operation among the troops,each corps seeming to act independently of therest. Few of the men had any military ex-perience, except, perchance, in bush-fightingwith the Indians. Unaccustomed to disciplineand the restraint of camps, they sallied forthwhenever they pleased, singly or in squads,prowling about and firing upon the enemy,hke hunters after game. Much of this was no doubt owing to the pro-tracted illness of General Greene. On returning to the city, therefore, Washing-ton gave the command on I/ong Island toGeneral Putnam, warning him, however, inhis letter of instructions, to summon t
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