The British were about fifty strong and had a fort at the bridge. It was night before we returned to Ward's house. Captain Samuel Delavan commanded us, and he was saved that night in consequence of wearing a red coat, thus passing for a British officer. The enemy approached Ward's house from the west side of the road. A sentinel was posted near, or perhaps in the road, who challenged the British. The latter rushed up to the house, and soon surrounded it. Captain Noah Bouton came to the door and asked for quarter, saying they were all desirous to surrender; but Major Campbell called out "Fire away

boys kill all the d d rebels you can." Bouton thereupon discharged

his musket, and shot Campbell through the body who fell dead at his feet. There were about two hundred Americans in the house who all escaped except twenty-seven who were taken prisoners, and six who were killed. The British had eight killed. I effected my escape by jumping out of a window on the north side of the house and soon after encountered a company of Americans advancing, I gladly joined them and returned to the fight. On reaching the house we found the enemy firing into the windows. Posting ourselves behind a stone wall we attacked them, but they far outnumbered us ; and out-flanked, we were compelled to retreat. We retired that night some two miles off, and the next day

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

returned and buried the dead at Ward's house. On the succeeding day we retreated as far as North Castle, and about a week after were ordered to White Plains where we remained until discharged.* The dead who fell on this occasion were interred in a beautiful locust grove west of the house and directly in the rear of the barn on the opposite side of the post-road leading to White Plains.