Burr directed those who carried the combustibles to march in front as silently as possible ; that on being hailed, they should light the hand grenades, &c, with a slow match, provided for the purpose, and throw them into the port holes. I was one of the party that advanced. The sentinel hailed and fired. We rushed on -- the first hand grenade that was thrown in dro\e the enemy from the upper story, and, before they could take any means to prevent it, t lie block house was on fire in several places. Some few escaped and the rest surrendered, without our having lost a single man. Though many shots were fired at us, we did not fire a gun. During the period of Col. Burr's command, but two attempts were made by the enemy to surprise our guards - in both of which they were defeated.

After Col. Burr left this command, Col. Thompson, a man of approved bravery, assumed it ; and the enemy, in open day, advanced to his head-quarters, took Col. Thompson and took, killed and wounded all his men with the exception of thirty. My father's house, with all his out-houses, were burnt. After these disasters our troops never made an effort to protect that part of the country. The American lines were afterwards changed and extended from Bedford to Croton Bridge, and from thence, following the course of that river, to the Hud- Son. All the intermediate country was abandoned and unprotected ; being about twenty miles in the rear of the ground which Col. Burr had maintained. The year after the defeat, Col. Thompson, (a brave, and in many respects a valuable officer.) took the command ; making his head-quarters at Danford's, about a mile above the Croton. The position was well chosen ; but Col.