The enemy, the same day, took possession of the village, and remained close in their quarters until the next day in the afternoon, when a party of them, consisting of about 200 men, possessed themselves of a height a little south of Cortlandt's. The general having received a reinforcement from Col. Gansevoort's regiment, of about 80 men, under the command of Lieut. Col. Willet, permitted them to attempt to dispossess the enemy from that eminence. Col. Willet having accordingly made the necessary disposition, advanced with his small party with the greatest firmness and resolution, and made the attack. The enemy instantly f!ed with the greatest precipitation, leaving three men dead on the field, and the

whole body, panic struck, betook themselves to their shipping, embarking under cover of the night ; and by the last accounts, they had sailed down the river. Before they embarked, they gave out they intended to stop at Tarrytown on their way down, and attempt to destroy our magazine of forage at Wright's mills. Upon their evacuating the place, Gen. McDougal took possession of his former quarters, and detached a party of men to watch their motions. The enemy on tliis occasion have been exceedingly disappointed, as they have not been able to carry off any stores left behind by our men, and no other flock than about forty sheep and eight or ten head of cattle, M'ith which they were supplied by our good friends the tories. Never did troops exhibit more firmness and resolution than did our army on this occasion. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers was great, and the measure absolutely necessary, it was with the utmost reluctance they retired to the pass. As usual, these heroes of Britain have burnt some houses, plundered the inhabitants of what they could conveniently take with them, frightened the w^omen and children, and raised the spirits of their tory brethren in that quarter, but which, alas, as is always the case when unnaturally elevated, are now again proportionably depressed."