Williams informed me he could always command the militia horse very well, going down to West Chester & Morrisania (where Delancy's regiment of refugees were stationed) & while there, but in returning, one wanted to stop to see one friend, another, another friend, some would stop to get a drink of cider, others a drink of buttermilk &c that it was very difficult to get them along-- Some time in the winter of 1781 or 82 a party of these guides & militia horse, under the command of Capt. Williams, went down to West Chester & took a number of swords & pistols, and returned as far as Sing Sing, where they insisted

56 THE McDONALD PAPERS

on stopping to get some refreshments & feed their horses. Williams urged them to go on about 3 miles, where some continental troops were and where they would be out of danger, as they would certainly be followed up by the down party of refugees. Notwithstanding Col. Williams' entreaties, they insisted on stopping, & were at the house of one Acker, under the hill near the river, holding a vendue among them-selves, selling off the swords & pistols they had taken-- The Hudson river was frozen over except the channel; the enemies horse came suddenly upon them, fired, & frightened some of their horses, that they broke loose and ran off. Many of the men ran off on foot. George McChain a young man about 19 years of age, was overtaken soon after he got on the ice and cut to pieces while on his knees begging for quarter. Williams (who did not get off his horse) after running about 1/4 mile on the ice, his horse gave out, finding he should be taken, dismounted. Col. Holmes & Capt. Totten came up with him; Williams told them he was their prisoner & gave them his sword, when they left him & pursued after John Odell.