"General Washington had rather incautiously encamped the bulk of his army on Long Island - a large and plentiful district about two miles from the city of New York"

This quote is describing General George Washington's decision to encamp the bulk of his army on Long Island during the American Revolutionary War. Mercy Otis Warren is suggesting that Washington's decision was not a wise one, as Long Island was just 2 miles far from the city of New York, which was then occupied by the British. By encamping his army so near the opponent, Washington was putting his troops in a vulnerable position. Warren's quote suggests that Washington's choice was a careless one, as he was not considering the potential dangers of such a move. By encamping his army on Long Island, Washington was putting his soldiers in an unsafe circumstance, as they were so near the enemy. Warren's quote acts as a tip of the significance of cautious preparation and strategic decision-making in times of war.