Major Hunt, having armed himself with a huge club, now gave the signal for attack, when the whole party simultaneously rushed in, headed by the Major, who exclaimed, as he raised his weapon, " Clubs are trumps, gentlemen." During the desperate struggle that ensued, Archer attempted to kill several of the refugees, and was only prevented from so doing by Major Hunt, who, arresting his arm, observed -- "Sir, the highest sense of honor in a soldier is to protect the lives of his prisoners." After a short but ineffectual resistance, the refugees surrendered, and were led off in triumph to the American quarters.

In the summer of 1779, a strong detachment iinder the command of Col. Emmerick advanced upon Tarrytown so rapidly, that the Continental guard quartered in Requa's house were com-

■ See Sketch Book, Beauties of Irving, tfcc &,c.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 231

pletely taken by surprise ; four of them were killed upon the spot, and the remainder, consisting of ten or twelve, taken prisoners. On this occasion Isaac Martlinoh,a a one armed man, and Polly Buckhout, were also killed ; the latter supposed accidentally, from the circumstance of her wearing a man's hat.

In the spring of 1782, a small party of refugees, under the command of Lieut. Akerly. captured tjiree American militiamen named Yerks, Van Wart, and Strong, near the residence of the present Gilbert Underhill, situated in Tarrytown. Strong was hung on the spot by his inhuman captor.

The following letter occurs in the book of Military Returns.^