e Washington's people were erecting fortifications.
A division of the army landed on the eastern side of the river on
Verplank's-neck, while the commander-in-chief proceeded to the western
side against Stoney-point. Both these posts, which commanded the Hudson,
and by means of which Washington had kept up his communication between
the middle and northern colonies, were captured, with the loss of
only one man wounded. At Fort Lafayette, which was the main defence of
Verplanks-point, all the garrison surrendered as prisoners of war;
but, at Stoney-point, the garrison fled at the approach of the British
troops. Sir Henry Clinton left considerable garrisons at these places,
and then returned to New York.

{GEORGE III. 1779-1780}

BRITISH EXPEDITION AGAINST CONNECTICUT.

General Clinton, soon after his return to New York, proposed inflicting
a severe chastisement on the Connecticut people, and tempting Washington
down from the highlands to defend the sea-coast. For this purpose
a detachment of land-troops under Major-general Tryon, supported by
Admiral Collier, advanced on Connecticut. They first attacked Newhaven,
where they destroyed the artillery, ammunition, and stores, with all
the vessels in the harbour. Fairfield was next attacked, and having
encountered a severe opposition by the inhabitants, when the place was
captured it was reduced to ashes. The same fate awaited Norwalk and
Greenfield; and Tryon then intended to make a descent at New London, the
great rendezvous for the Connecticut privateers. As the militia of this
state, however, were by this time joined by some regular troops detached
from Washington's army, he deemed it expedient to return towards New
York to obtain reinforcements. The fleet fell back, therefore, on Long
Island, to wait for an additional supply of troops and ammunition. In
this expedition much spoils were captured.

STONEY-POINT RE-CAPTURED, BUT DESERTED AT THE APPROACH OF THE BRITISH.

Washington, roused by these disasters, undertook operations which not
only prevented Clinton from reinforcing Tryon, but compelled him to
recall the whole of that devastating expedition. Before the garrison
could put Stoney-point in any defensive order, he dispatched General
Wayne to fall upon it by night, and the troops left there by Clinton
were all either killed or taken prisoners. Wayne opened a fire
across the river upon Fort Lafayette, expecting to see another strong
detachment appear fr