Kieft first senl a force to scour SI at on Island, which, like Van Dyck's Westchester expedition of 1042, returned without results, no foe being encountered. A detachment of one hundred and twenty men was then dispatched by water to the English, settlement of Greenwich, on the Sound, it having been reported that a large body of hostile Indians was encamped in the vicinity of that place. Disappointment was also experienced there. After marching all night without finding the expected enemy, the troops came to Stamford, From here a raid where they halted to wait for fresh information.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

bly lying within Westwas made on a small Indian village (probawere put to death. An chester borders), and some twenty braves eered to lead the volunt now er prison taken been had who aocd Indian ting of three consis , natives the of Dutch to one of the strongholds the castles gh althou but, e; promis his kept powerful castles. He were burned, the were duly found, they were deserted. Two of them of emergency. third being reserved for purposes of retreat in case County acester Westch into Thus the second armed expedition sent long-dethe ing inflict of way the in complished comparatively little es. Numbers of Westsired punishment upon the audacious savag and sent chester Indians (mostly women and children) were captured , they records official Dutch by ed testifi as where, rdam, Amste to Fort were treated with malignant cruelty. A mixed force of The next move was somewhat more successful. John Underbill, Captain by English and Dutch, commanded jointly t Peter the celebrated Indian fighter from New England, and Sergean Heemof rhood neighbo Cock of Fort Amsterdam, proceeded to the villages. Indian two d attacke and Island, Long ead), stede (Hempst loss Afore than a hundred Indians were killed, the Dutch and English l principa the Hut as being only one killed and three wounded. the of north regions the in be to known was enemy the of strength the settlers and deHarlem River, whence the warriors whowereslew constantly emerging, it vastated the fields of Manhattan Island 111 that was deemed indispensable to conduct decisive operations disknown and nce experie long Captain Underbill, whose quarter , cretion insavage warfare indicated him as the man for the occasion the was scut to Stamford, with orders to investigate and report upon Being trustworthily informed that a very numerous body situation , and of the Indians was assembled at a village at no great distauce to claimed who guide a of s ntation represe placino- confidence in the Director know the way to the locality, he advised prompt action. d of one Kieft adopting his recommendation, placed him in comman rted hundred and thirty armed men, who were immediately transpo Februof month the in was This h. on three yachts to Greenwic ary, 1644.' of the troops A raging snowstorm prevented the forward movement But the night. and day a of part greater the for ch Greenwi from about out set they , morning weather being more favorable the next stnorthwe general a in d advance daybreak, and, led by the guide, wardly direction.