A History of the County of Westchester, Vol. II
Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe immediately withdrew his men out of the reach of any chance shot, and made use of the low ground (the crossing of which would have led him into the ambuscade,) to march his infantry under its cover, out of their sight, or the reach of their cannon; he sent orders to Capt. Ross to withdraw, and a^ain ambuscaded the cavalry in a position to take advantage of the enemy if any party of them should pursue him, or from Valentine's hill should endeavor to incommode his retreat. Observing the movement of the Yager cavalry, the enemy marched a party to watch their movements, on the
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opposite bank, while their main body formed the line. Captain Ross thought proper to wait for the party that had crossed the Bronx. He permitted them to come close to him, when his fire threw them into confusion, he then retreated, making a small circuit to avoid some riflemen who had occupied the wood, and the corps returned to the camp."*
A day or two precedititr the battle of White Plains a large body of British horse advanced upon the road leading t!jroii_a:h this place for the purpose of reconnoiteriug.
September, 177S, Sir Arcliibald Campbell advanced with (lie Tlstregimentof the Scotch Highlanders to Mile square. They were soon after joined by General Grant with another force of Highlanders who occupied the ground from the Bronx at Hunt's bridge to the North River. Diu'ing the whole course of the war Colonel James de Lancey kept a recrniting oificer constantly stationed at Jones's house, in the Mile square, as he always considered Mile square itself within the British lines.