He bravely forced a narrow passage to the enemy, and besides a number being killed, he took upwards of fifty prisoners, cut away the bridge,^' burnt their huts and a considerable quantity of forage, and brought oti'a number of horses and cattle. Colonel Hull possesses in a high degree the confidence of the commander-in chief ; and for his judicious arrangements in the plan, and intrepidity and valor in the execution of the enterprize, he received the thanks of his Excellency, and afterwards of congress. The enemy pursued our troops, and fell in with a covering party, under command of Colonel Hazen, and in a skirmish which ensued, they sufiered an additional loss of about thirty-five. Of Colonel Hull's detachment, one ensign, and twenty-five rank and file were killed and wounded. This suc-

Heath's Mem. 271. b The pontoon bridge across Haarlem river.

COUNTY OF \\ESTCHESTER. ^ 335

cessful exploit is calculated to raise the spirits of our troops, and to divest tiieir minds from the unhappy occurrence, which has recently taken place in camp, and at the same lime it may convince the enemy that the afiairs of our army are not altogether desperate.''^

"4th of March, 17S2, Captain Hunnewell with a body of volunteer horse, backed by the infantry under the command of Major Woodbrids^e made an excursion to Morrisania. Tlie hoise proceeded down between the British fort, No. 8, and the cantonment of De Lancey's corps, and having turned the cantonments between day-break and sun-rise, they entered pell meli. The enemy were completely surprised, and fied in every direction ; some were cut down on the spot, others so badly wounded as not to be able to be removed. Some of the enemy availed tlicmselves of positions where the horse could not assail them, from whence they b"gan to fire on the house.