They first attacked the picket, killed three, and drove the rest into the colonel's quarters. The colonel and his men took to the chambers, and fired out at the windows, and down stairs, at those who had entered the house ; it appeared difficult, if possible, to dislodge them ; the house was instantly set on fire, by putting a straw bed into a closet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at the chamber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel Hatfield, one captain, one lieutenant, one quartermaster, and eleven privates were taken prisoners and brought cff". This was a pretty affair, but was a litte tarnished on the return by some of the militia, who v.'ere fatigued, loitering on the road, where they supposed there was no danger; but a party of horse pursuing, overtook, killed and captured several of ihem."'^

Many other occurrences of the same kind might be related to sliow that this vicinity was constantly harassed by sn:all parties of American volunteers, who made every ctfort to dislodge their wary antagonists.

Upon a lofty eminence to the north-west of the Archer house, stand the remains of Fort No. 8. '' The enemy (observes Heath)

Ilpatli's Mem. 320. i Ibid. 228.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 33T

had a redoubt called No. 8 on the east side of Haarlem creek, nearly opposite to the fort on Laurel hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the security of their advanced troops on the Morrisania side."^ When the British made the bold and successful attack upon Fort Washington in 1776, the guns of No. 8, which lay directly opposite, covered the advance of the Hessians and Lord Percy. " On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy were demolishing their works at No. 8, Morrisania."''