Their horses, fully caparisoned, sustained the pelting of the storm while picketed in order, to a fence, which extended east to the village Church, and ran behind that building westerly to head-quarters. It was now some time after sunrise. Colonel Sheldon had just ordered his regimental horses to be unsaddled and turned loose into an adjacent field, according to custom, preparatory to their being dressed and fed; when a vidette came in at speed, and reported a large body of cavalry advancing rapidly upon the northern road from the direction of Bedford. As it was known that the Third regiment of American dragoons had crossed the Hudson three days previously; Sheldon said at. once, "It must be Moylan's horse then." However, the orders just issued were countermanded and the late General Tall-madge of Litchfield, then a major under Sheldon, was sent out with a small detachment, to reconnoitre. Meanwhile the dragoons, who had been under arms all night, were ordered to mount and make ready; and such preparations were made, either to welcome friends or fight with enemies, as a few moments of suspense rendered possible. Tallmadge at the head of his men, had galloped forward about half a mile. Just as he had reached the summit of a short hill which commands a view of the road in front, pre-viously hidden from observation, he found himself within pistol-shot of the British van-guard, consisting of troopers belonging to the Seventeenth light dragoons. The leading officer of the enemy called upon him to surrender, and in the same breath gave the command: "Charge men, charge." Major Tallmadge and his men had barely time to wheel about, when their adversaries were upon them, and both parties riding for life or death, entered the village at the same moment; the pursuers filling the air with shouts, execrations, and calls for submission, and making a headlong onset upon the Ameri-can troops now drawn up in the principal village street.