The Royal forces now continued their march northerly for about a mile and gained a road called the ''Cross Highway." This they followed easterly in the direction of Greenfield, pass-ing Haukanum, where now are seen the magnificent mansion and park of Morris Ketchum, Esquire, with parties upon their flanks, keeping the utmost silence and moving with military circumspection.--From time to time, during the night, they halted, making prisoners of such whigs as lived along the route and were found in arms, and of such as had become notorious for their zeal and activity. The houses along the way-side were filled with women and children, who had fled from Nor-walk. These fugitives in their haste to hide from danger, had thus placed themselves in the lion's path.--Military

THE DANBURY EXPEDITION 101

stores to a considerable amount were at this time deposited at Fairfield village, where the militia of the county had begun to assemble; as the destruction of this magazine was generally supposed to be the principal design of the invaders.--But the route they soon after pursued, clearly indicated their goal. It was not yet day when they arrived at Greenfield about a mile northwest of the Congregational church. Here they halted until sunrise. The dense fog which had hitherto enveloped them, then suddenly broke away. They now got again in marching order and took the road leading from Fair-field to Danbury. As the British forces were passing the bor-ders of Greenfield and Weston, they were reconnoitred by Doctor Hurlbut, a young physician, of the vicinity, who, mounted upon a fleet horse, felt assured of his ability to make a good retreat on any exigency. Advancing near a dragoon, he amused himself and attracted the attention of the red coat, whom he menaced, by shaking at him one of the horse-whips at that time used by riders.