Francis Kain then gave the finishing stroke to the monument, after which the military escort divided into three sections ; each division fired one round. The procession was again formed by the marshal in the same order as before. The officers and soldiers of the Revolution, on the right, passed the line, the same honors being paid to them by the military ; and the whole returned to the house of Mr. E. Mead, from whence they had started."

During the Ainericaii war, this section of the neutral ground was frequently harassed by incursions of the enemy.

On one occasion a large body of British Cow-boys (who had been up the country in prosecution of their trade) were returning, laden with spoil, when they received a severe check in the vicinity of Smith's tavern, from a small force of American volunteers. The attack is said to have been commenced by an individual named John Dean. The neighborhood, alarmed by the firing, immediately turned out to his assistance.

November 17th, 1777, the British, under Captain Emmerick, made an excursion from their quarters to the Saw Mill Valley, and completely surprised the Van Tassels, who were residina: near Captain Romer's, burnt their houses, " stripped the women and children of necessary apparel to cover them from the severity of a cold winter's night," and led off, in triumph, the two brothers, Peter and Corneliiis van Tassel.*

In retaliation for this inhuman outrage, the patriots fitted up an expedition at Tarrytowii, under the command of Abraham Marllingh, which proceeded down the Hudson River, passed the enemy's guard boats in safety, and succeeded in setting fire to General Oliver de l^ancey's house on New York island, after plundering it of its contents. The whole party returned to Tarrytovvn in safety. This enterprise was conducted in the very face of the British army.