Here were quartered Colonel Emmerick's British light horse. The British Hussars were billeted here for several summers. The Ryche's mansion being occupied as head quarters, it was the custom of the troopers to tie up their horses to long cords stretched from the apple trees in the orchard, many of which arc still standing.

432 .' HISTORY OF THE

For security the roads were patrolled and vidottes stretched along the neighboring heights. The remains of bastions are still visible on their summits.

1776, the American Rifle Corps were stationed here, and from this place crossed the Bronx to attack and harrass the British flank, as they moved towards While Plains, after landing on Throgmorton's neck. Subsequent to the memorable battle of "White Plains the British returned to Mile Square, reconstructed Hunt's bridge, and occupied the hill forts.

1778, the British light infantry and Highland companies under General Simcoe, formed an ambuscade in an orchard, at the place where the roads fork to Hunt's bridge and Valentine's hill, in the hope of surprising a large and strong body of the American army moving on the o])posite side of the Bronx. •

It appears from the British account as related by Simcoe, " that Hunt's bridge was commanded by the heights on the side of Kingsbridge, vviiich the enemy had forlified in 1776. In the British rear was a wood ; it had been designed to conceal the Queen's Rangers under General Simcoe, and while the Yagers and cavalry should have engaged with any corps who might patrole to Valentine's hill, it was thought probable that the enemy on ihe opposite side of the Bronx would pass over to their assistance, when the infantry and Highlanders would rush from the wood, and, occupying the fences do severe and coo! execution upon them as they were on the bridge and occupied in the deep hollow.