The enemy's horse first advanced and commenced skirmishing till their infantry approached, when a sliarp conflict ensued, which continued about fifteen minutes; some of our troops manifested symptoms of cowardice, and gave way. The enemy secured the advantage, and rushed on with a general shout, wliich soon decided the contest. The Americans lost thirteen men killed, and Captain Roberts,^ being mortally wounded, soon expired ; seventeen others were wounded. Lieut. Col. Thompson, and six other officers, with eighty-nine rank and file, were made prisoners. Of the enemy, two officers and eighteen men were wounded ; and five men killed. ''t»

The British advanced by the southern road and divided at the junction of the Four Corners, one party going west, the other marching directly upon the house. The party moving west intercepted or cut ofi' Isaac van Wart and a small company under his command, who were attempting to succour their comrades. The dead who fell in this engagement, were buried on the east side of the road, upon the rising bank of a small hollow, northeast, of the Van Wart residence.

a It was afterwards related by Issac van Wart that (he day previous to this fatal occurrence, Captain Roberts in a conversation with him, mentioned that his father had been killed in the old French war, and he was sure he should fall in the present struggle. He fell, alas ! not by the hand of a foe, but by one of his' own countrymen, a refugee named Hammond, who as he recognized this brave officer, exclaimed " Now I will give it you," and fired with deadly effisct. His body was found after the conflict, with one of the fingers barbarously bitten for the purpose of obtaining a gold ring. His murderers had also inhumanly placed their feet upon the body to draw off his boots.