and disciplining them, was promoted to the rank of major-general of the
Loyal Provincialists. [1]

The campaign opened on both sides by rapid predatory incursions and
bold desultory attacks. At Peekskill, on the North river, about fifty
miles above New York, the Americans had formed a post, at which, during
the winter, they had collected a considerable quantity of provisions
and camp-equipage to supply the stations in the vicinity as occasion
might require.

The most mountainous part of the district, named the Manor of Courland,
was formed into a kind of citadel, replenished with stores, and
Peekskill served as a port to it. On the 23d of March (1777), as soon
as the river was clear of ice, Howe, who thought Peekskill of more
importance than it really was, detached Colonel Bird, with about 500
men, under convoy of a frigate and some armed vessels, against that
post. General M'Dougal, who commanded there, had then only about 250
men in the place. He had timely notice of Colonel Bird's approach, and,
sensible that his post was untenable, he exerted himself to remove the
stores to the strong grounds about two miles and a half in his rear;
but before he had made much progress in the work the British appeared,
when he set fire to the stores and buildings and retreated. Colonel
Bird landed and completed the destruction of the stores which he was
unable to remove. On the same day he re-embarked, and returned to New
York.

On the 8th of April (1777), says Gordon, Congress concluded upon the
erection of a monument to the memory of General Warren in the town of
Boston, and another to the memory of General Mercer in Fredericksburg,
in Virginia, and that the eldest son of General Warren, and the