It  had  been  concerted,  that  during  the  attack  by  the  ships,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,
with  the  troops,  should  pass  the  narrow  channel  which  separates  Long  Island
from  Sullivan's  Island,  and  assail  the  fort  by  land :  but  this  the  general  found
impracticable,  for  the  channel,  though  commonly  fordable,  was  at  that  time,  by  a
long  prevalence  of  easterly  winds,  deeper  than  usual.  The  seamen,  who  found
themselves  engaged  in  such  a  severe  conflict,  often  cast  a  wistful  look  toward
Long  Island,  in  the  hope  of  seeing  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  the  troops  advancing
against  the  fort ;  but  their  hope  was  disappointed,  and  the  ships  and  the  fort
were  left  to  themselves  to  decide  the  combat.  Although  the  channel  had  been
fordable,  the  British  troops  would  have  found  the  passage  an  arduous  enterprise  ;
for  Colonel  Thomson,  with  a  strong  detachment  of  riflemen,  regulars,  and  mili-
tia, was  posted  on  the  east  end  of  Sullivan's  Island  to  oppose  any  attack  made
vn  that  quarter.
