This was kept up until Hopkins arrived near the house of Job Sherwood, a short distance from the present arch of the Croton acqueduct, on the road to Sing Sing. Hopkins now rightly judging that the best horses of his pursuers were far in advance of their comrades, instantly checked his horse, and in turn became the pursuer. At the spring brook which crosses the road in the Beeckman wood, he succeeded in capturing one or two prisoners in the very face of the enemy, and made good his retreat.a

Near Twitchings' tavern, resides John Yerks, one of the seven volunteers connected with the capture of Andre. Mr. Yerks

» The above was related to the author, by Jacob Romer. aij eye witness of tlie engagement.

35S HISTORY OF THE

served for several years in the capacity of a water guard, and remembers to have seen on one occasion, as many as fifty British vessels and galleys stationed on the Hudson river. Near his present place of residence, himself with nine others, engaged in a deadly conflict with a party of twenty Cow boys. In this skirmish, they brought off three prisoners and four horses, besides leaving six of the enemy dead on the field.

The road from Twitchings' descends gradually to the valley of the saw mill, on the east bank of which, stands the church and hamlet of Union ville, delightfully sheltered by high hills. The most prominent object in the immediate vicinity, is the Buttermilk mountain, which towers like a giant, far above the neighboring scenery. A small perennial spring rises on its eastern edge, which has conferred this fanciful name on the hill. The summit of the mountain commands an extensive view of the Hudson River and surrounding country.