Clinton and Morgan, from the American side, were continually foraging the adjoining country, between the two lines, which was so irregular and broken with stone walls as to render it most i)racticable for such excursions ; besides, the British could not tru>t the people of the country. In the day-time the British guards were advanced as far as the high ridge overlooking the Bronx, just above Williams' Bridge. At night only a picket line was left there. On one occasion a picket sergeant, belonging to the Queen's Rangers, in advancing the picket guard, was captured by the Americans, who had crawled up behind the stone fence. As the sergeant had deserted Irom the American army, he was thrown into prison and threatened with death ; a threat that the British would kill the first six Americans they captured, in case the sergeant was put to death, alone saved his life and resulted in his exchange.

But the British occupancy was soon disputed by the Americans in greater force. In January, 1778, a large force of Americans were sent to attempt the capture of King's Bridge and Fordham Heights. General Lincoln advanced down the Albany post road from Tarrytown, Wooster and Parsons from New Rochelle and East Chester, and Scott took the centre road from White Plains, which debouches in the old road near the new reservoir just being constructed near Williams' Bridge. General Heath was in command of the whole expedition. The calculation was that the three columns would reach King's Bridge about the same time. Lincoln was to halt at Van Cortlandt's, Scott at Valentine's Hill, near the present South Yonkers Station, and Wooster at the top of the Williams' Bridge Hill. Wooster struck the enemy's pickets first at the top of the Williams' Bridge Hill, and pushing on, drove the enemy from the redoubt on the Claflin, or Perot farm, and the British commander of the fort at King's Bridge was ordered to surrender.