Day broke dismal and lowering after a fearful night behind the colonial works. Twenty thousand of the enemy were encamped in plain sight. Then through a drenching rain, the American reinforcements arrived. Among these were Glover’s hardy New England seamen, Shee’s crack Philadelphia regiment, and Magan’s Pennsylvanians; also Mifflin’s troops from Kingsbridge and Fort Washington.
The downpour seemed to dampen the spirits of the British; they ceased their artillery fire and took to their tents; only some desultory rifle shooting between the advanced posts was indulged in. Late in the afternoon, when the rain slackened, they began to intrench, their idea being to advance by regular approaches, each protected by an earthwork.
Next day there was a heavy fog. George Prentiss, scouting in the neighborhood of Red Hook, saw an unusual activity among the British shipping off Staten Island, during a moment when a trifling breeze had lifted the mist from the waters.
“Look there!” he cried to his friends. They had but a glimpse of the war-ships before the fog settled once more.
“There seems to be something going on,” said Ezra.
“I think I caught a glimpse of small boats plying between the ships and this side,” added Brewster.
“No doubt you did,” said George. “Twice the other day the British caught us between two fires. And not satisfied with that,” confidentially, “they are going to try again.”
“What! Do you mean that——”
“That they are coming up with the next wind and tide. This battery,” pointing to the Red Hook defense, “can’t hope to keep them back, and the Governor’s Island and city batteries are not much better. Let them once anchor in the East River and Washington’s army is lost. His retreat will be cut off.”
They put their tired horses at a gallop back to the lines. To some staff officers they imparted their news, and the commander-in-chief at once called a council of war. Other hostile craft were known to have rounded Long Island and gained Flushing Bay; should these land troops east of the Harlem they might take Kingsbridge, which all knew to be the key to Manhattan.