Willet having accordingly made the necessary disposition, advanced withliis small party with the greatest firmness and resolution, and made the attack. The enemy instantly fled, with the greatest precipitation, leaving three men dead on the field; and the whole body, panic struck, betook themselves to their shipping, embarking under cover of the night -- and by the last accounts, they had sailed down the river. .Before they embarked, they gave out they intended to Stop at Tarrytown on their way down, and attempt to destroy our magazine of forage at Wright's mills. Upon their evacuating the place, Gen. McDougal took possession of his former quarters, and detached a party of men to watch their motions. The enemy on this occasion have been exceedingly disappointed, as they have not been able to carry off any stores left behind by our men, and no other flock than about forty sheep and eight or ten head of cattle, with which they were supplied by our good friends the tories. Never did troops exhibit more firmness and resolution than did our army on this occasion. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers was great, and the measure absolutely necessary, it was with the utmost reluctance they retired to the pass. As usual, these heroes of Britain have burnt so.:.e houses, plundered the inhabitants of what they could conveniently take with

158 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

them, frightened the women and children, and raised the spirits of their tory hrethren in that quarter; but which, alas, as is always the case when unnaturally elevated, are now again proportionally depressed."