The whole southern part was marked by the marches, works of defence, or skirmishes and battles of hostile armies ; and, indeed, the active operations of the war in 1776 were principally confined to this region, and in the Autumn to this County -- and the two armies were in full force, constantly on the alert, and under the eyes of their respective Commanders-in-Chief. And this, too, was probably the most interesting period of the war, though attended with no exploits of very brilliant fame. The British with a numerous army, and a powerful marine, were in possession of New York, while Washington, with an inferior and badly supplied army, dispirited by the affair of Long Island, was merely manoeuvring to keep them in check. The battle of White Plains, October 28th, will long be remembered, as will the dismal prospect of that year, when the Patriot Fathers of America had still the courage to declare Independence, and assert the rights of nature and of nations.*1 But though the morning sun of Declared Independence arose thus in a cloud, -- while yet it was morning, Princeton, Trenton and the plains of Saratoga enjoyed a broad refulgence, diffusing new spirits over the nation. And it were well worthy the attention of every American youth to study the history of that war, and thus learn the price paid for Independence ; the better to know how to appreciate its value. Nor ought we to forget that the privileges so dearly purchased, can only be preserved to our posterity, by that zeal for our country which governed the conduct of our fathers, now descended to the grave."6