That was on the 7th of October, 1777. Tiie brothers, Qenerals George (Governor) and James Clinton commanded the little garrison. They were brave and vigilant. It was not an easy task for the enemy to approach the fort through the rugged mountain passes, watched and attacked by scouting parties. They had divided, one party accompanied by the baronet, making their way toward evening, between Lake Sennipinkand the river, there they encountered abattis covering a detatchment of Americans. A severe fight ensued. The dead were thrown into the lake and it was called " Bloody Pond."

Botli divisions now pressed toward the forts, closely infested them, and were supported by a heavy cannonade from the British flotilla. The battle raged until twilight; overwhelming numbers of the assailants caused the Americans to abandon their works under cover of darkness and to flee to the mountains. Before leaving, they set fire to t vo frigates, two armed galleys and a sloop, which had been placed above the boom.

That conflagration was magnificent ; the sales of the vessels all set, and they soon became splendid pyramids of flame. Over the bosom of the river was spread a broad sheet of ruddy light for a great distance, and the surrounding mountains were brilliantly illuminated by the fire, which gave aid to the fugitives among the dreary hills. These features oftheevent, with the booming of the cannon on the loaded vessels when the fire reached the .1, answered by echoes from a hundred hills, produced a scene of awful grandeur never witnessed before or since on the borders of the Hudson. It was a wild and fearful romance, that ended in the breaking of the boom and chain, and passage up the river of the British squadron with marauding troops. These laid in ashes, many a fair mansion belonging to