The rest of the party were coming on crying out "Kill the d--d rebel &c," when Williams, (having given up his sword, had nothing to defend himself with, & was sure of being cut to pieces) mounted his horse & ran off another quarter as fast as the first; finding it impossible to escape he turned his horse's head toward the channel of the river, determined to run in & drown himself, rather than be cut to pieces; two of the refugee horse (one on each side) came almost near enough to strike him, he gave his horse a sudden check, & being sharp shod he stuck on the ice & his pursuers passed by him, he then turned his horse and got off safe to Tellers point when the firing commenced at the house. John Odell's horse broke loose & ran off. One of the party named Acker ran off leaving his horse which Odell mounted & ran off before Williams. Acker's horse that Odell mounted had no shoes on his hind feet. Holmes & Totten left Williams & pursued Odell who was riding with his sword over his head to protect himself. They came up one on each side, Totten nearer than Holmes

TOMPKINS' RECOLLECTIONS 57

when Holmes said to Totten, "Take care that fellow may cut you." Odell said if he had dared checked his horse he would have cut Totten several times, but his horse having no shoes behind he was fearful he might slip. Totten came near enough to strike at him with his sword or cut the end of his nose so as to draw blood, when Odell gave a back handed stroke & cut Totten on the shoulder or cheek, when they ceased further pursuit. After they left him, Odell attempted to take up his horse when his feet slipped from under him, & he went several rods on the ice, he hung to him, as the horse ran, sprung on his back & let him run until he reached Teller's point.