CAPTURE OF POUNDRIDGE

After Sir Henry Clinton had retired from the posts of Stoney Point and Verplank's, about the 18th day of June 1779, he established his head-quarters at Philipsburgh in the county of Westchester. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton of the legion, was at this time panting for distinction. He had obtained the most accurate information of the strength of the American troops stationed at Poundridge and commanded by Colonel Sheldon of the second regiment of light-dragoons. After much solicitation, the British commander-in-chief, for the purpose of surprising this advanced post, intrusted the Legionary lieutenant colonel with a detachment carefully selected from the light troops of the army. Having obtained leave to make the attempt, Tarleton at once hastened to its execution. The American forces at Poundridge consisted of about one hundred light dragoons of the Second regiment and a small party of militia. The cavalry and infantry both, were quartered in the village; the latter being under the immediate command of Major Lockwood. Major Leavenworth, with about one hundred Continental troops and the same number of militia, pursuant to orders, had taken up a position on the most southerly of the two roads leading to Bedford, about a mile west of the head-quarters of Colonel Sheldon, who was in command of all the out-guards posted in this vicinity. Lock-wood, who lived in the village of Poundridge, was First-major in Colonel Thomas' regiment of Westchester militia. With patriotic earnestness, he shared the comforts of his residence with Sheldon, who had made it his head-quarters, and whose horsemen were cantoned in the barns and out-buildings of the farm. It was well known to the King's officers that Colonel