Here they commenced cannonading with two small field pieces which they had brought ■with them, while their light troops entered the village by another road higher up the river. The Americans unprepared, and withal too weak to resist so formidable a foe, were obliged after a short resistance to fly to the interior. Their enemies from the commanding points which they occupied, kept up a constant firing upon them as they sought the various avenues of retreat. It

a County Clerk's Office, Abstract of Sales, p. 137.

76 HISTORY OF THE

was at this period when a soldier in his flight stopped for a moment to refresh himself at the spring. ^Yhile on his hands and knees in the act of drinking, a ball which struck on the eminence above him, glanced obliquely, and descending the road with rapid bounds, finished its course by shattering the thigh of the exhausted soldier, and burying itself in the ground beyond. Unable to move, he lay bleeding and in agony, until a wagon filled with provisions hastily collected by a bold and resolute man ere they left the scene of commotion passing by, he was perceived by those who followed after, who immediately picked him up and placed him thereon. They conveyed him as far as Fishkill village, 19 miles distant ; but loss of blood and the fatigue of his journey, prostrated the powers of nature ; and though he received surgical aid, survived but a few hours. "^

Two miles north of Peekskill is located the property and residence of General Pierre van Cortlandt, who derived his title to this portion of the ancient manor from his brother Gilbert, heir of his grand-aunt, Mrs. Gertrude Beeckman,