The expedition appears to have been planned by his guide, Michael Dyckman, who had ascertained by close observation that the British sentinels were not in the habit of changing their countersign ; the next step was the capture of one of the refugees themselves, from whom he obtained the countersign. By this means, so sudden and complete was the surprisal of the enemy on the occasion, that over forty of them were either killed or made prisoners. It was the intention to have captured De Lancey, but he was absent from his quarters. The cantonment had scarcely been turned, when a large party of Yauger horse collected and pursued Captain Cashing, but he effected his retreat with so much skill and gallantry, though charged repeatedly by the enemy, that no injury was sustained. The enemy were far advanced up the Saw Mill valley ere they relinquished the pursuit.

334 HISTORY OF THE

On tliis occasion Abraham Dyckman arrested Captain Ogden in Colonel Eimmerick's quarters, (the house now occupied by Nathaniel P. Bailey, Esq.,) at the moment when a British sentinel was pacing the bridge within musket shot.

"On the 19th of January. 17S1, (says General Heath,) 150 men from the Connecticut line and 200 from the New Hampshire line were to move towards the lines; these, with those who marched from Hazen's tlie day before, were to form a covering party to the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Hull, who was to make an attempt on De Lancey's corps.""- The result of the enterprise, (which took place upon the 2Sth of January, 1781,) is thus related by Thacher. "A detachment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hull, has returned from a successful expedition, having attacked by surprise the Royal Refugee corps under the command of the noted Colonel De Lancey, posted at Morrisania.