Appeals to the heart from leaders of such distinction, themselves press-ing forward to the field, were irresistible. Leaving ploughs and workshops, these men of Connecticut ran to their arms, and some on foot and some on horseback, followed the two generals to the war. Throughout the 27th and 28th days of April, great enthus-iasm prevailed among the inhabitants of the country, and the male population, capable of bearing arms, everywhere aban-doned their pursuits, and leaving their homes to female care, turned out in battle harness. This was the case not only in Connecticut, but also along the eastern parts of Courtland manor, in our county of Westchester. Timothy Delavan, a wealthy farmer of North Salem, and a zealous advocate for independence, grandfather of several gentlemen who bear the same surname, and who as merchants and public men are well and favorably known in New York City, sent his nine sons in arms against the enemy at Ridgefield. The patriarch himself accompanied his children on horseback, with provi-sions for their support. During the afternoon of the 27th and the morning of the following day the young volunteers, in pursuance of general orders, were travelling in small parties, in advance of the British, to join Arnold at Saugatuck. As they passed along, the women of the farm houses who did not or would not comprehend the commander's designs, fre-

124 THE MCDONALD PAPERS

quently came out of their dwelling and stopped the march of the young soldiers, like Spartan mothers, addressing them to this effect: "What is the matter? Why are you running away from the enemy? Are you frightened? Come! be brave boys and do something for the good cause. Turn back and strike a blow for Congress." Mortified and excited by the taunts and entreaties of the housewives, many of the volunteers wheeled about to skirmish with the enemy.