The lines of the American army first stretched across the county at White Plains, and gradually receded to the Croton River. That portion of the county between the two armies was then, and ever, since has been, known as the " Neutral Ground." This portion of Westchester County was the battleground of the disaffected, the prey of both friend and foe; scenes of cruelty and bloodshed unknown in civilized warfare marked these partisan engagements, and in defense of their homes, some of her valiant sons exhibited instances of personal bravery

MAP OF WHITE PLAINS IX 1776.'

EXPLANATION.

aa-Stage roail from Bennington ee-Road to Dobbs Ferry across the

to Xew York. bb-Road to Rye town. cc-Road to town of Mamaroneck. dd-Road to landing called Rye

Xeck.

North river. ff-Called the White Plains street. gg-Road to town of Harrison. hh-Road to town of Greenburgh.

iThe following indorsement is on the original of this map at Albany.

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

ii kk-Roade for private uses. 4. Cassaway Brook.

1. Meeting-house of Methodist So- 5. Golden Pine Brook.

ciety. 6. American Encampment in 1776.

2. Court-house. 7. Britisli Encampment in 1776. .3. Property of Presbyterian Society.

unsurpassed in ancient or modern times. Others, attacliing themselves to the Britisli side, were known as " Cowboys," and were engaged in plundering the people between the lines, of their cattle and other property. Others again, were known as " Skinners," and professing allegiance to the American side, lived chiefly within the patriot lines. Both of them, Cowboys and Skinners, were treacherous, rapacious and cruel. No region in the United States was so harassed and trampled down as this debatable ground. Hostile armies marched and countermarched over it, and its ruined condition eloquently portrayed the horrid desolation of war. In almost every family of