Heath.) the enemy made an attack on Lieut.-Colonel Thompson, who commanded the troops on the lines ; the colonel's force consisted of two hundred and fifty men, in five companies, properly officered; they were instructed to move between Croton River and the White Plains, Hudson's River and Bedford ; never to remain long at any one place, that the enemy might not be able to learn their manner of doing duty, or form a plan for striking them in any particular situation. The colonel had for some days taken post himself at Young's, not far from the White Plains. Capt. Watson, with his company, was with the Lieut- Colonel, Capt. Roberts and Capt. Stoddard, with their companies, were on the right ; Capt.
Lieutenant Farley, and Capt. Cooper, on the left. The force of the enemy consisted of four flank companies of the first and second British regiments of guards, detachments from two Hessian battalions, some mounted yaugers, and mounted refugees -- the whole under the command of Colonel Norton, of the guards. The roads were so filled with snow, that the enemy advanced but slowly, and were obliged to leave their field-pieces behind on the road. They were discovered at a distance by Mr. Campbell, one of our guides, who, from the goodness of his horse, reconnoitred them pretty near. He gave the lieutenantcolonel notice of their advancing, and that their force was considerable, and advised him to take a stronger position a little in his rear.
But the lieutenant-colonel was very confident that the enemy were only a body of horse, and that he could easily disperse them, and would not quit his ground. They first attacked a small advanced guard, consisting of a sergeant and eight men, who behaved well, and meant to reach the main body in season ; but were prevented by the horse, and all taken prisoners.