"The situation of the Roost is in the very heart of what was the debateable ground between the American and British lines, during the war. The British held possession of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan, on which it stands. The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding their headquarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River to Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable laud, subject to be harried .by friend and foe, like the Scottish borders of yore. It is rugged country, with a line of rocky hills extending through it like a backbone, sending ribs on either side; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding valleys, like those watered by the Pocantico and the Neperan.
In the fastnesses of these hills, and along these valleys, exists a race of hard-headed, hardhanded, stout-hearted Dutchmen, descended of the primitive Netlierlander.s. Most of these were strong whigs throughout the war, and have ever remained obstinately attached to the soil, and neither to be fought nor bought out of their paternal acres. Others were tories, and adherents to the old kingly rule ; some of whom took refuge within the British lines, joined the royal bauds of refugees, (a name odious to the American ear), and occasionally returned to harrass their ancient neighbors. In a little while this debateable laud was overrun by predatory bands from either side ; sacking hen-roosts, plundering farmhouses, and driving off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the Skinners and the Cow Boys, famous in the heroic annals of Westchester County.
The former fought, or rather, marauded under the American, the latter under the British banner ; but both, in the hurry of their military ardor, were apt to err on the safe side, and rob friend as well as foe.