They were for the most part militia men belonging to Fairfield County but among them were some troops of a superior description, and upon which the American com-manders placed a strong and well founded reliance. These last forces consisted of a small detachment from Lamb's Artillery, with three field-pieces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Oswald; part of the artillery company belonging to Fairfield village with another gun; sixty Con-tinental recruits, and three companies of volunteers from New Haven. A breastwork, which during the morning, Arnold had caused to be thrown up across the road, and which was flanked on each side by a dense forest, gave additional strength to his position. His troops were in high spirits. Conscious that they occupied a strong post and confiding fully in the fortune and courage of their leader, they felt anxious for the approach of the enemy. But Tryon having secured the principal objects of the inroad, was anxious for a reunion with his fleet, without addi- tional loss or further fighting. Having made an exact recon-noissance of the American position, he found that it could not be carried without great sacrifice of life, and was well

116 THE MCDONALD PAPERS

aware that a repulse would be fatal. He deliberated fora short time with his principal officers in extreme perplexity. At length one of the guides offered to conduct the royal troops further up the river, to a place where they might cross in safety. Upon this they wheeled about toward the north, and marching along the Saugatuck nearly a mile, at length reached a ford, where they passed over to the other side; and then continued their retreat with rapidity along the eastern bank of the stream. General Silliman who had joined Colonel Huntington and taken command of the detachment under the latter, now made the utmost efforts to overtake the retreaters.