One Stephen Baxter, from North Salem, who had received a commission of Captain, was here with the refugees at the burning of Bedford. I think they were all refugees that burnt Bedford, about a hundred or a hundred and fifty in number. I saw them pass, as they advanced by the North Castle church road. Benjamin Haves kept a tavern at this time in Bedford and his house (owned by Col. Holmes) was for some reason burnt." Col. Armand the Marquis de la Rouerie was for some time stationed at North Castle and Bedford.

On the 15th of July, 1779, General Heath having ascertained that the enemy's shipping had gone down towards New York, moved his troops and took a strong position between Ridgfield and Bedford, sending out patrols of horse and foot on all the roads.*1

On the evening of the 29th of December, 1780, (writes General Heath,) a party of the enemy from Delancey's corps, consisting of about one hundred infantry and fifty horse, came up to North Castle where after a short halt they proceed towards Bedford new purchase. Capt. Pritchard who was posted at Bedford with a company of Continental troops, and some militia, immediately advanced towards them, attacked their van, who retreated, as did their main body. Capt. Pritchard pursued them as far as Young's. It was said that one of the enemy was killed and several wounded who were carried off in a wagon. Four oxen, and between thirty and forty sheep were re-taken, and eight or ten head of cattle were driven oft"; but the captain sustained no injury.6