From the 12th to the 27th of October, 1776, the American army lay entrenched in detached camps from this hill to (he White Plains.^ On the 27th, as the enemy continued to advance upon the White Plains, General Washington suddenly called in all his detachments, and abandoning the positions he had occupied along the Bronx, assembled all his forces in a strong camp upon Chatterton Heights. Upon the 28ih of October, the day of the battle, it was asserted by the residents on the hill, that not only

» Stedman's Hist, of the American War.

436 HISTORY OF THE

was the cannonade distinctly heard, but also the singing of the Hessians as they advanced to attack the American position. After the battle of the 28th, the British infantry were stationed here.

The old Valentine house, wln'ch stood northwest of the present residence, was used for some time by General Washington as headquarters.

It would appear from the following letter, in possession of the family, that 'Miomas Valentine had aided the advance of Washington's left wing towards the White Plains : --

Valentine's Hill, Jan'y 27th, 1777. These may cei-tify, that on or about the 25th day of October last, I ordered Thomas Valentine's one yoke of oxen and cart, to be taken for the public service. They carried a load to ye White Plains. There I discharged them. I am informed they were further taken on their return, and that Mr. Valentine hath not received them. B. Lincoln,

On the 0th of .Tune, 1778, Sir William Erskine fell back towards Valentine's Hill. Tlie Queen's Rangers encamping on Odell's Hill, soon after, these corps formed part of an escort wliich accompanied the English commander-in-chief to the White Plains, a 1778. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton was ordered, witfi the whole of the English cavalry, to this hill, for the purpose of covering the right, when they endeavored to surprise General Gist in the parsonage.