New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-25
The account of the skirmish at Turtle Bay
shows Washington in an unusual posifien;

The account OF the skrmish az Itrte Day
shows Washington in an unusual posificp.
On TIE 18th Waship g,ors baggage vas removed 70
King. Bridge where headquarters we've 20 be usns-
ssrr,a The same evenng-h being clear thai he sue-
NV were preparing 10 encompass him on The eonA
ut Is row trial Of skih whether they vii or nor
writes Col. Reed " and every night We Ne down Nth
the most anxious fears for the fate Of Tomorrow.
Abont sunset of the same day, six more shir- two
Of them unen-of.war. passed up the Seand ans Joined
those above, Within halt an hour came eSpFeesce
squirting 10 headquarters, one from Mfiiis ~ hings
Bridge, the other from Colonel Sargent q, hefens
Hook Ihree or four thousand of the enemy we're
crossing 9, UelGate to the islands at the mouth OF
Harlem River, where numbers were s'feady en-
esnped. An immediate Ian ing az Harlem or Nor
risabjs apprebende,l. Washington wus inrtanty
in the saddle, squirting 20 Harlem Hights Tnengh',
however, passed away quietly. In the morning the
enemy commenced operations. Three ships Of war
stood up the Hudson, causing most tremendous
firing assisted by the OF Governors Island,
which firing returned from the city ne wen o. the
scarcity OF heavy cannon would allow" The ships
anchored opposite Bloomingdale, a few miles above
the city and pat stop TO the removal BY water Of
stores and PROV isious to Dobbs's Ferry. Abcat II
O'Clock the ships in the East River commenced
heavy cannonade upon the breastworks between Tur-
lie Bay and the city. AT the same time two divisions Of
the troops encamred on Long Island, orr British,
under Sir Henry Clinton, the other Heesisn, under
Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep,
woody OF New,own Inlet, ard under cover of
the fire from the ships began to land at Two points be-
tween Turtle and Hips Bays. The breastworks were
manned by militia who had recently served at Brook.
iys. Disheartened by their late defeat, they aed Of
tie first advance Of the enemy Two brigades NJ
Pntnams Connecticut troops (Pasoass and Fellows'sl
which had been sent that morning to support them,
caught the panic, end, regardless of the commando
and enresti.s Of their officers joined in the general
ecamper.
At this moment Washington, who had mounted his
horse At the frst sound OF the caunonade gal
lopng to the Of confusion riding in among The
iugtNcs be endeevored 10 rally and restore them To
II. A - 10 shoe rxfa of ufxfu
or seventy recosts they broke again without firing
shot, and He'd in headlong terror. Losing all eef.
command at the sight Of such dastardy conduct, be
dashed his hat upon the ground in transport OF rage.
Are these the men, exclaimed he, with whom
am to defend America" In psroxysm Of passion
and despair he snapped his pistols at some Of them,
threatened Others with his sword and was 10 heedeee
of HE own danger that be might have fallen into the
hands Of the enemy who were not eighty yards DIS
tan had not de-camp seized the bride Of bic
hwse and absolutely hurried MIN away.
II was OF the rare moments of his life when the
vehement element of his nature stirred up from
its deep reccss.s. lie recovered hie setpoxes
sion ard took measures against the general peril The
enemy might land another force about Hellate, seize
upon Harlem lights, the strong central portion Of the
issnd cut off all retreat Of the lower divisions and
sfectuay sever his army. In all haste, therefore he
sent off an express to the forces encamped above,
directing them to that position immediately;
while another express to Putnam ordered an imtne-
date retreat fiom the city TO those nights
Ii was indeed perilous moment. Had the enemy
followed up their advantage and seized upon the
nights, before thus occupied; or bad they extended
themselves across the island from the place where
they bad effected landing, the result might have
been most disastrous 10 the Americans Fortunately
they contented themselves for the present with sending
strong detachment down the road along the East
River leading to the city, while the main body, British
and IIessians rested on their arms
In the mean time, Putnam, receiving Washing
toms express, called in hs pckets and guards, and
abandoned the city in all haste leaving behind him
large quantity of provisions and military storee and
most of the heavy cannon. To AVOID the enemy he
took the Bloomngdae road, though this exposed him
to be raked by the enemys ships anchored in the Hud
son. Ii was a forced march, on a sutry day, under
burning sun and amid clouds Of dust. His army was
eIcumbered with women aud children and all kindk Of
baggage. Many were overcome by fatigue aud thirst
some persisted by hastily drinking cold water but Put
rode backward and forward hunying every one on
The volume closes with the triumphant tsrmina-
ten Of the campaign in the Jerseys. Victory had
followed the troops which had long been desplscd
as an undisciplined rabble The character Of
Washington had received new illustration, and
was now as much extoed for ts boldness and
energy, as it had been for i:s wary crcumspection
His great qualities became fully appreciated BY
bis countrymen, and gained for him from tho states
men and generals of Europe the appellation Of the
American Fabius."
We need not detain our readers by many re-
marks on the execution of this volume IL GER
taisly justifes the concentrations with which we
welcomed its predecessor. Mr.. Irving's style, IL
is almost superuOus to observe is as well adapted
to historical competition as to essay-writing. In
the present work thus far, il is more remarkable
for its quiet and natural flow than for the splendid
embellishments in the use Of which he lie such a.
acknowledged master. IL has the familiar tone OF
society, rather than the stateness of formal his
tory. Combining the details of biography with tho
charms Of description, bis narrative presents an
irresistible fascination, while it can scarcely DO
read without inspiring fresh reverence for the
Father Of his Country.