Peekskill, and slowly advanced himself, first to Pompton Plains, and
afterward to the Clove, where he determined to remain until the views
of the enemy should be disclosed.

While Washington thus anxiously watched the movements of his adversary,
an agreeable and unexpected piece of intelligence was received from New
England. The command of the British troops in Rhode Island had devolved
on General Prescot. Thinking himself perfectly secure in an island, the
water surrounding which was believed to be entirely guarded by his
cruisers, and at the head of an army greatly superior to any force then
collected in that department, he indulged himself in convenient
quarters rather distant from camp, and was remiss with respect to the
guards about his person. Information of this negligence was
communicated to the main, and a plan was formed to surprise him. This
spirited enterprise was executed with equal courage and address by
Lieutenant-Colonel Barton of the Rhode Island militia.

On the night of the 10th (June, 1777) he embarked on board four
whale-boats at Warwick Neck, with a party consisting of about forty
persons, including Captains Adams and Philips, and several other
officers. After proceeding about ten miles by water unobserved by the
British guard boats, although several ships of war lay in that quarter,
he landed on the west of the island, about midway between Newport and
Bristol Ferry, and marching a mile to the quarters of Prescot,
dexterously seized the sentinel at his door, and one of his aids. The
general himself was taken out of bed and conveyed to a place of safety.

The success of this intrepid enterprise diffused the more joy
throughout America, because it was supposed to secure the liberation of
General Lee by enabling Washington to offer an officer of equal rank in