Gregory's brook (sometimes called Magrigarie's creek,) rises in Magrigarie's pond, a few miles east of the village. This rapid stream, after flowing through a deep and wooded glen, empties into the Hudson near the landing place.

The romantic hills which abound in the immediate vicinity of Peekskill are many of them connected with stirring events during the revolutionary war. Among the most prominent is Gallows Hill, famous as the spot where the spy Palmer was executed by order .of General Putnam,

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

whose laconic reply to Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander, deserves an enduring record. It appears that Clinton had sent up a flag of truce from New York, demanding the release of Edmund Palmer, his lieutenant, who had been detected as a spy in the American camp. The brief and emphatic answer of Putnam runs thus :

"Head Quarters, 7th August, 1777.

" Sir : Edmund Palmer, an officer in the enemy's service, was taken as a spy lurking within the American lines. He has been tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a spy ; and the flag is ordered to depart immediately. Israel Putnam."

" P. S. -- He has been accordingly executed."

From this circumstance the hill derived its present appellation. The story of Palmer's sad fate is thus graphically described in the republican paper of Peekskill : --

" Iu the summer of the year 1780, and for some time preceding and following, on the southern and eastern sides of the hill, and along the rich valley which lies at its base, was quartered a division of the American army under the command of Gen. Putnam. Disaffection and treachery prevailed on every side ; men there were who from fear or from other base causes, refused to take part on the side of virtue and patriotism, and remaiued as neutrals, wavering between each part)', and acting as their personal safety seemed most to require.