night. If the English had suspected that the
Americans were withdrawing their forces from
Brooklyn, it is easy to imagine the carnage that
would have ensued. So great was Washington's
anxiety at this time that he is said not to have slept
during forty-eight hours, and rarely to have dismounted
from his horse.

One account of the retreat is as follows: "A
disadvantageous wind and rain at first prevented
the troops from embarking, and it was feared that
the retreat could not be effected that night. But
about eleven o'clock a favorable breeze sprung up,
the tide turned in the right direction, and about
two o'clock in the morning, a thick fog arose which
hung over Long Island, while on the New York
side it was clear. During the night, the whole
American army, nine thousand in number, Washington
embarking last of all, with all the artillery,
such heavy ordnance as was of any value, ammunition,
provision, cattle, horses, carts, and everything
of importance, passed safely over.

' All this was effected without the knowledge of the
British, although the enemy were so nigh that they
were heard at work with their pickaxes and shovels.
In half an hour after the lines were finally abandoned,
the fog cleared off and the enemy were seen
taking possession of the American works. One

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v?