[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] 42(3 HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY refugees from Westchester County were conspicuous members. As the spring approached many were the speculations indulged on the American side as to the probable intentions of the enemy. There were rumors of a formidable invasion from Canada, but it was some months before these became substantiated by intelligence of the ex-pedition of Burgoyne. In this uncertain state of things Washington manifested a decided conviction that Peekskill was the natural center for the concentration of troops pending actual developments. In March he transferred Heath from Peekskill to the command of the Eastern department, with headquarters at Boston, and soon after-ward he instructed him to send on to Peekskill eight of the Massa-chusetts battalions, explaining that at Peekskill "they would be well placed to give support to any of the Eastern or Middle States, or to oppose the enemy should they design to penetrate the country up the Hudson, or to cover New England should they invade it. Should they move westward the Eastern and South-ern troops could easily form a junction, and this, besides, would oblige the enemy to leave a much stronger garrison at New York.