Unable to move, he lay bleeding and in agony, until a wagon filled with provisions hastily collected by a bold and resolute man ere they left the scene of commotion, passing by, he was perceived by those who followed after, who immediately picked him up and placed him thereon. They conveyed him as far as Fishkill village, nineteen miles distant ; but loss of blood and the fatigue of his journey, prostrated the powers of nature, and though he received surgical aid, survived but a few hours."0

A short distance north of Peekskill is Cortlandtville ; here is located the property and residence formerly of Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, now owned and occupied by James Robertson. The former occupant derived his title to this portion of the manor from his brother Gilbert, heir of his grand-aunt Mrs. Gertmde Beekman. The old brick mansion,

o Westchester and Putuain Republican, August, 1S3S.

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

erected A.D. 1773, occupies a very sequestered arid romantic spot on the north side of the post road, immediately above Peekskill Hollow. At one period of the Revolution it was occupied by the American commander-in-chief, as head-quarters. Here, too, the Van Cortlandt family for some time found a safe asylum amid surrounding desolation.

In this house General McDougal posted his advanced guard, when the British took possession of Peekskill, March, 1777. The following account of the subsequent engagement with the enemy, is extracted from the Connecticut Journal of April 2d, 1777:

"Fishkill, March 27- -- Our post at Peck's-kill, since the removal of the militia of the eastern States has been, in a maimer, iu a defenceless situation ; there being o. ly part of two regiments stationed there, under the care of Gen McDougal, amounting to about 250 men. The enemy having received intelligence of tins formed an expedition thither, with a view to take or destroy the stores belonging to the continentals, that were deposited there.