Our nineteenth century Tory historian, Dawson, in his account of this raid, comments with uncontrolled and terrible excitement upon every phase of it, describing Sears as a cowardly, plundering ruffian of the dirtiest water, and his troopers as diabolical banditti, and insists that they returned to Connecticut laden with spoils. Of this there is no evidence whatever. Abundant evidence docs exist that they brought back with them a large and curious collection of arms from Westchester Loyalists of notorious repute. The expedition, however lawless and reprehensible, was a bona fide one in the patriot interest, and not an adventure for mere private plunder, although it can not be questioned that some incidental peculating was done. Compared with the villainous doings of the Cowboy and Skinner bands of subsequent years, it was a quite virtuous and legitimate enterprise. As such it was unhesitatingly regarded by the good people of Connecticut, who right royally welcomed home the returning regulators. The guard having the three prisoners in charge had halted at Horseas recorded by the veraT^Teircumstance • . .hr0nicler that they rode into the city evidence of "wltli bayonets' fixed," is powerful the grimiiess of the business upon which they were bent. The editor of this History has witnessed many mounted troops going into or in process of action, but does not recall any occatheir were among sion when fixed bayonets arms,

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

neck, where on the 27th of November they were joined by the parent band. The next day the whole party took up their triumphal march to New Haven. They were escorted, says the local newspaper from which we have already quoted, " by a number of gentlemen from the westward, the whole making a grand procession. Upon their entrance into town they were saluted with the discharge of two cannons, and received by the inhabitants with every mark of approbation and respect.