As the time for putting his forces in motion drew nigh, General Heath applied to the Committee of Safety, for some persons minutely acquainted with the country around Kingsbridge, and with the various roads leading to New York, who might both act as guides and assist him in the capacity of aides, and that body appointed Cornelius Oakley, Isaac Oakley, John Pine and David Hunt to accompany the division under General Scott, and John Odell and the two Dyckmans, Abraham and Michael, to go down with the col-umn under General Lincoln. The American Army was at this time moved upon Fort Independence with great skill by different routes, and in three distinct columns, and during the whole investment that ensued, the Guides were constantly engaged in procuring quarters and forage for the troops, in keeping up intercourse between the various divisions and regiments, and in communicating the orders of the different officers, and the value of their services was acknowledged in public thanks by the commanding general. During part of the summer and autumn of 1778, the main body of the American forces under General Washington, was encamped at Whiteplains with a strong advanced corps posted near Tuckahoe, a few miles in front under General Scott, while still farther below, this latter officer stationed a picket guard of about one hundred and fifty riflemen under Colonel Gist, which lay on the heights, a little south of the Episcopalian parsonage then occupied by the widow Bab-cock. John Odell was Gist's chief guide, and as respects most of his operations, was also his confidential adviser. Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe at that time in command of the British light troops about Kingsbridge and Fordham, marched with his whole force before daybreak, on the morning of the 16th of September upon the camp of the American colonel,