On the evening of the 29ihof December, 1780, (writes General Heath,) a party of the enemy from Delancey's corps, consisting of about one hundred infantry and fifty horse, came up to North Castle where after a short halt they proceeded towards Bedford new purchase. Capt. Pritchard who was posted at Bedford with a company of continental troops, and some militia, immediately advanced towards them, attacked their van, who retreated, as did their main body. Capt. Pritchard pursued them as far as Youngs. It was said that one of the enemy was killed and several wound-

» Extracts from life of James Holmes, Esq., printed in 1815. b Heath's Mem. p. 270.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 29

ed who were carried off in a wagon. Four oxen, and between thirty and forty sheep were retaken, eight or ten head of cattle were driven off; the captain sustained no injury.^ -

On the morning of the sixteenth, 1781, (contiijues the same authority,) " the enemy made an incursion from Morrisania, towards Bedford, and took Lieuts. Carpenter, Wright and Peacock, and five other inhabitants prisoners; burnt five houses, plundered and stript several other inhabitants, and returned ; they were pursued by Capt. Pritchard, but could not be overtaken. ^

One of the most prominent objects in the immediate vicinity of Bedford village, is the round hill called Aspeiong, celebrated for its beautiful views of the surrounding country, its summit affords a favorite resort for parties during the summer season. <^

The road proceeding north from the village descends into the valley of the Beaver dam, (Cisqua,) watered by a beautiful stream of the same name, which rises in the adjoining town of Poundridge. In its progress to the Croton the Beaver dam is fed by the waters of broad and muddy brooks. By the process of gauging in 1833, (at a fair minimum,) the Beaver dam and Broad brook yielded four million nine hundred and sixty-three thousand four hundred and eighty gallons per diem.'i