[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] have covering, as to harass them in the 0|K>n fields by multiplying guards or their being constantly exposed in the scattered houses, to be surprised ami cut off. For these several reasons, the troops were ordered, as soon us it grew dark, to move hack, Gen. Lincoln's division to Dobhs Ferry and Tarrytown, Gen. Wooster's to New-Kochelle and Geu. Scott's to White Plains; the guards to remain at their posts and alert until the troops were all moved oft, and then to form rear guards on the several roads, following the troojB to whom they respectively belonged; all of which was performed in good order, ilia very heavy fall of snow." In March, 1777, Sir William Howe, in New York City, conceived the design of sending an expedition up the river to Peekskill to capture the cattle and military stores collected there, and, if possible, the small force of two hundred and fifty, under General McDougall, that had been left there to guard them. He attempted by stratagem to deceive General Mc-Dougall, as if his objective point was in another quarter. That officer, however, took the precaution to send away a part of his stores to Forts Clinton and Montgomery for safety, and had commenced the transportation, but before he could complete it ten sail of British vessels appeared off Tarrytown in Tappan Zee, and two went farther up the river. The next day they all anchored in the Peekskill Bay, and landed about one thousand men, with several pieces of cannon.