his civil duties as Governor, received this urgent letter at Kingston, and at once hastened to the High- lands, collecting all the militia that he could, more effectually to man the defences. Irving has given the following description of the forts at that time: We have spoken of his (Clinton's) Highland citadel of Fort Montgomery, and of the obstructions of chain, boom, and che- vanx-dc-frise between it and the opposite promontory of An- thony's Nose. Fort Clinton had subsequently been erected within rifle shot of Fort Montgomery, to occupy ground which commanded it. A deep ravine and stream, called Peploep's Kill, intervened between the two forts, across which there was a bridge. The governor had his headquarters in Fort Mont- gomery, which was the northern and largest fort, but its works were unfinished. His brother James had charge of Fort Clinton, which was complete. The whole force to garrison the associate forts did not exceed six hundred men, chiefly militia, but they Digitized by Microsoft® 338 The Hudson River had the veteran Colonel Lamb, of the artillery, with them, who had served in Canada, and a company of his artillerists was dis- tributed in the two forts. Early in October, Sir Henry Clinton sailed up the Hudson with a fleet carrying three or four thousand British troops and Tories. The object of the expedi- tion was to take the forts, Montgomery and Clinton, opposite Anthony's Nose. There were American stores there, that had been collected in the neighbour- hood, and the destruction of these was the ostensible object of the expedition; but it is almost certain that the idea of relieving Burgoyne by a diversion carried greater weight. A body of troops was landed at Tarrytown, marched a short distance into the country, returned, and re- embarked. This ruse had the desired effect of deceiv- ing General Putnam at Peekskill. On the next day, the fifth,Xlinton landed in force at Verplanck's Point, below Peekskill, thus strengthening the impression already created that Fort Independence and the east- em shore of the river were to be the scene of his attack. Almost immediately, however, the greater part of the troops were femed across in barges from Ver- planck's to the opposite shore,, and while a body of Tories on shore and the war-ships in the river kept up the pretence of attacking Fort Independence, Clinton hurried the main body of his command, by a circuitous route, over the hill passes back of the Dunderberg, towards Forts Montgomery and Clinton. General Put- Digitized by Microsoft® The Spirit of '76 339 nam was completely outwitted and even sent to the Governor, General George Clinton, for reinforcements. But that active officer was not deceived. He had despatched scouts to the southern extremity of the Highlands, and they soon returned with the intelli- gence that the enemy were crossing to Stony Point in large nimibers. He therefore made ready with all the haste posvsible to receive the unwelcome visitors, and in his turn sent to Putnam for aid. But, through the treachery of the messenger, his appeal did not reach its destination. Dividing his force, Sir Henry Clinton sent Lieuten- ant-Colonel Campbell, with nine hundred men, to take a circuitous course by the western side of Bear Hill and approach Fort Montgomery from the north or north-west — that is to say, in the rear. Sir Henry pro- ceeded towards the river from the point of division, which was between the Dunderberg and Bear Hill. He then intended to advance along a neck of land lying between the river and Sinipink Pond and fall upon Fort Clinton. A reconnoitring party sent out by the Governor fell in with Sir Henry's advance-guard, and opened the day's fighting, falling back towards the fort after a sharp skirmish. Campbell, advancing along the Bear Hill ravine, was met by a sudden outburst of cannon and musketry, against which for a time his men could make no head- way. Filing off into the woods they attempted to Digitized by Microsoft® 340 The Hudson River surround their assailants, and finally succeeded in driving them into the fort. The resistance at both of the forts was obstinate. The garrisons were insufficient to man the works, but even after the enemy, by sheer force of numbers, had effected an entrance, the defenders refused to surren- der and literally fought their way out, many of them escaping by the woods and down the precipitous rocks. Two hundred and fifty were either slain or captured by the British. Putnam did not suspect the true direction of the British advance till the reverberations of the battle, thundering along the .cliffs of the Highlands, revealed the true state of affairs. The escape of the brothers George and James Clin- ton was almost marvellous. The Governor leaped down the