is night Major Murray was nearly carried off by the enemy, but
saved himself by his strength of arm and presence of mind. As he was
crossing to his regiment from the battalion which he commanded, he
was attacked by an American officer and two soldiers, against whom he
defended himself for some time with his fusil, keeping them at a
respectful distance. At last, however, they closed upon him, when
unluckily his dirk slipped behind, and he could not, owing to his
corpulence, reach it. Observing that the rebel (American) officer had
a sword in his hand, he snatched it from him, and made so good use of
it, that he compelled them to fly, before some men of the regiment,
who had heard the noise, could come up to his assistance. He wore the
sword as a trophy during the campaign."[164]

On the 16th the light infantry was sent out to dislodge a party of
Americans who had taken possession of a wood facing the left of the
British. Adjutant-General Reed brought information to Washington that
the British General Leslie was pushing forward and had attacked Colonel
Knowlton and his rangers. Colonel Knowlton retreated, and the British
appeared in full view and sounded their bugles. Washington ordered three
companies of Colonel Weedon's Virginia regiment, under Major Leitch, to
join Knowlton's rangers, and gain the British rear, while a feigned
attack should be made in front. The vigilant General Leslie perceived
this, and made a rapid movement to gain an advantageous position upon
Harlem plains, where he was attacked upon the flank by Knowlton and
Leitch. A part of Leslie's force, consisting of Highlanders, that had
been concealed upon the wooded hills, now came down, and the entire
British body changing front, fell upon the Americans with vigor. A short
but severe conflict ensued. Major Leitch, pierced by three balls, was
borne from the field, and soon after Colonel Knowlton was brought to the
ground by a musket ball. Their men fought on bravely, contesting every
foot of the ground, as they fell back towards the American camp. Being
reinforced by a part of the Maryland regiments of Griffiths and
Richardson, the tide of battle changed. The British were driven back
across the plain, hotly pursued by the Americans, till Washington,
fearing an ambush, ordered a retreat.

In the battle of Harlem the British loss was fourteen killed, and fifty
officers and seventy men wounded. The 42nd, or Royal Highlanders