New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-10-30
Grafton of j. w. Tompkins, Esq. deu'ere" az
White Plains on the 2sfh Of Oct. 1870

Orat;ou of L. W. Tompkius, Esq. delivered nj
White Plain. on the 2sfh Of Oct. iS'o'
Mr. Tompkins began by saying tha' ne nsu W
fore him the records ohs country past history "sos
IN, event. which occurred sky nine years ago and tna'
bo heevod the duty as well the pleasure OF every
tue American 20 look back totnese sousrfrns scenes
for though It be province for the future 70 AID
and encourage warfare these recoections must inspNe
us all with love Of liberty and with gratitude 10 God
and those brave departed who achieved our noble des
n.y. We have met to celebrate the second effort made
in our state 20 stay the onward march Of the BRUSH ar
nv over our country and though assembled beneath
and around an humble building we are on the actual
theatre Of the war and upon the po: where the first Con-
sttu,on Of the Empire state was formed By patriots
the spot where after Washingons defeat on Long f.
land the first successful stand made against the in
ysdiag foeOn very portion Of the battle ground itself
Accustomed in my boyhoo 70 roam the bills around.
Il was my delight to trace each mound and oreeswork
and find The place where the ashes Of those slain IN that
conflict resedin after years % search out rom tne F
dtons the place each thrilling incident OF that oa'te
and in social intercourse 20 gather from the witnesses OF
the day every yesticc Of remembrance.
The County OF Westchestcr, a; the commencement OF
the Revolution contained q multitude Oi hHdy yeomeh
Injured 70 toll whose ancestry had fed from oppression
abroad and In the enjoyment Of greater freedom IN the
Colony had ifnbibed All ardent love oi DoeTty. Nhen
tho star of Independeuce in the East they were
cad 10
was threatened with invasion, they ocked with alacriy
N ia defence When the battle of Long Island turned
the tide of war against they st adhered 10 the amer
can Army cOntendng every inch OF ground TO Harlem,
thence to Kings Bridge and through the Southern part
Of Westchesfer 10 White Plains. where Gen Washing
ton again determined 10 enrench himself and make An
other stand against Overwhelming force OF the choicest
British troops, flushed with victory and confident oil sue
cess 4 brief account Of the movements Of the two
armies 70 this place Ind Of their operations here, II y my
purpose 10 give.
On the Both OF June 76 the Provincial Congress Of
this State adjourned from the City of Newfork to the
Court House in bite Plains where they met on the 9TH
Of July following and thcrccOntinaed nsessOn until the
29h Of thu, month. IL al Nhte Palns on the "th
If July the Provincial Congress received the
of ndeIendence-thcre II was read and there they
sOemny in Convention promised Al me RISK Of Ntr rs
and fortunes join with the other Colonies IN support
ing H. The letter of John Hancock. enclosing 10 them
that Declaration after acknowledging their dependence
for upon the Ruler Of the Universe with almost
aProphe vision announcedthe important consequences
which would flow from that Declaration.
And surely is not vain glorious TO claim that the spot
is honnred where tina, fearless step the OF hide
pendence the solemn sanction Of the Represen
afvcs OF this State embracing the associated wisdom
and virtue Of Joy Morris. Clinton, Uo0dhuu Hobart Van
COrfIfndt LciaR and Rutgers For myself reJoice
i'm the recollection that IL is the place OF my nativity and
Of an ancestor who enjoyed the privilege Of participating
in the abors Of that Convention.
The City Of New York selected by the English as
the centre of their military operations with the view OF
commanding the North river aud acting in conjunction
with a force from Canada, descending through Lake
Champain thus securing the Colonies. Their march
into Westchesier county designed 10 obtain com.
nand Of the principal routes leading to New Eng
land through Rye and the other by the way OF Bed
ford and thereby cut off the American army from is
supplies principally derived from the East and Obtain
the rear OF General Washngtons army and force him
general battle or 10 precpitae retreat But Wash
incton penetrated their intentions and conducted bis
forces nOrhward from Kings Bridge with great skill.
moving in line parallel with the British, little in ad-
Of them facing them constantly with the Bronx In
his front which fortified at every assaabe point.
On the 10Th 81 October, 76, portion of the British
Army consisting OF the Guard, Light Infantry reserve
and Count Dunops Corps landed at Throgs Neck and on
the night OF that day, Col William smith then Lieu
tenant with Corporate guard broke down the bridge
connecting the neck with Westchester and left Sir
William Howe upon an Island On the 10th and llth OF
October the English forces at Thro2s Neck were aug
rnented by the lst ID and 9th Brgades crossing from
Long Island and by the Sd Hessan Battalion from New
York On the 18th the whole British Army crossed TO
Pelham Point. and marching Northerly, encamped the
same night on the high grount between Hutchinsons
river and New Rochelle Village, where il remained til
the DIST On the 2 the British removed and encamped
on New Rochelle Highs North OF the Village and on
both sides OF the ROAD leading 70 Scarsdale This camp
broken up ON the 2Jh, and the Army moved forward
% position upon the high grounds IN Scarsdale IN the
vicinity of the late John Benefits farm and there re-
NAMED Till the morning OF the 2sth of October.
General Washington during that time had not remain
ed inactiye-as early the 18th OF October part Of
his army crossed from Harlem Highs, reached White
Plains the 10Th and commenced erecting fortihca-
tons and ON the 22d General Washington leaving his
head quarters at Fort Washington established them Al
Valentines Hill, whence they were removed TO White
Plains on the 23d.
The entrenchments at White Plains were erected
der the directions of French engineer and consisted OF
square fort of Gods in the main street with breastworks
each side running westerly the south side Of Pur
dys Hill the Bronx. and easterly the hills 10
Horizons Pond When the English attacked Chaiertons
Hill on the 2Sth they unfinished, but during the
night of the 2sh and Doth OF October they were raised
and strengthened being only intended for temporary use
until the position above Abraham Miers in Northcaste
could be fortified. which was done and 20 which the
American army afterwards retired
General Howe committed gres; mistake in not AZ
lacking General Washington's Notifications IN White
Plans on the 2s.h instead of Chattcrtoas liil lie
gained nothing in taking that HILL Aiier the works Al
White Plains comp cied great loss to Howes army
have attended their capture, and Washinstons new
position above Mr. Millers) appears to have been re-
sardod AS imprcenabIe Washingions policy at this
tme wss he pressed it, TO onirench and fight with
the SPADE and marock" The experience al Bankers Hill
had made the English cautious in attacking Americans
behind entertainments.
During The march of the two armies to White Plains
frequent skirmishes occurred On the 18th, the van
guard OF the British army were attacked by detach.
under General Sullivan and the fight which ensued
(nesr the road reaching nom New hochet) mas Decn
always represented very creGabe 10 the Americans
On the 2st Colonel Rogers celebrated partisan officer
in the French war had accepted command in the Eng
lsh service and lay Mamaroneck An attack upon
him planned 10y Lord Sterling and executed by
force under the command OF Col iaslet OF the Delaware
Regiment Rogers was completely surprised seventy
or eighty of his killed made prisoners. and
a considerable quantity OF arms ammunition and clothing
taken by the Americans On the 23d OF October, spi
rited skirmsh took place between Hands Pennsylvania
Rifemcn and detachment OF Hessan Chasseurs about
24O strong in which the II, ssians routed These
harassing encounters of the Americans ATTENDED nva
rably with SUGGEST tended 10 delay TIE advance O the
British and 10 make them cautious while cheered the
desponding of the American soldiers and above
all gave General Washington time his stores
and entrench himself where army dare sssal him.
On the morning Of the 2Sih Of October the British
Army marched from their camp in two columns-;he
right commanded by General Clinton, the left by ~
Hister and in sight of the American forces about
10 o'clock Il is about the time Of the battle gen
icmenl On the 27th OF October. two Militia Regiments
had been 10 throw up entertainments on Chat
terton Hill and ON the morning OF the 2,h. General
Washington ordered Col Haset 10 take command OF the
Hill having under his command his own Uhc De- aware
Regimea the Militia md part Of the Maryland troops
General Nc Dougl followed him and took the
command. Col Hssle says the enemy ia the nrst place
moved towards the for;hcaiions in the yilase-ihey
then halicd--ihc general officers had a council OF
horseback in the whestfelds snd the result was
that their forces inclined towards the Bronx Fifteen OF
twenty pieces II artillery placed upon the high
ground opposite the hill and commenced furious can
n0nate upon MrDougals forces under cover OF which
- a "a. A.1 r..