Hudson, on the east and west, and between the Croton and the lines, on the north and south. These troops were ordered to be kept in motion, partly to protect the country and partly to elude the vigilance of the enemy and prevent them from planning- an attack, so that generally thdy remained but a short time in any 011c place. At the time here referred to, however, they for some reason remained at Youngs House longer than usual. The Tories in the neighborhood soon conveyed intelligence of the fact to the British headquarters in New York, and an expedition was dispatched to attack them. The Continental troops at Youngs House in January, 1780, numbered about two hundred and fifty men, chiefly from Massachusetts, and all commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, of that State. The larger part were at the house, but detachments were posted westward extending nearly two miles toward the Hudson River, and eastward about three miles toward the Bronx. Pickets were also stationed in front of the entire line, and every precaution taken to prevent a surprise.

On Wednesday evening, between ten and eleven o'clock, Feb. 2, 1780, a force of between four and five hundred infantry and one hundred horsemen, composed of British, Germans, and Col. Delancey's Tories, set out from Fort Knyphausen, south of Spuyten Duyvil, to attack the Americans posted at Youngs House, the whole expedition under command of Col. Nelson of the Guards. The weather was cold and a deep snow on the ground. Sleighs had been secretly provided to convey tire infantry, and an attempt was made to use them for that purpose, but the troops had not gone far before they were compelled to give it up and send back the sleighs, together with two light field-pieces, as the snow was found altogether too deep to admit of that mode of conveyance.