As late as 1782 Crompond, though well above the Croton, was deemed a quite exposed situation. On the other hand, daring assaults by the Americans were frequently undertaken down to the very outposts of Kingsbridge, and no part of the comity witnessed more animated scenes than the present Borough of the Bronx. The command on the lines, as the projection of the American position below Peekskill was called, was uniformly intrusted to officers of approved courage and enterprise. Here Colonel Aaron Burr was for some months in charge, highly distinguishing himself by his good discipline and efficiency. The parties which reciprocally served for defense and offense on the enemy's side comprised several well known bodies of horse and foot -- notably the Queen's Bangers under Simcoe, de Lancey's corps of Westchester County Befugees, and forces led by Tarleton, Emmerick, and others. The Americans were locally styled in Westchester County the Upper Parti/, and the British the Lower Party. In addition to the regular troopers on either side, there were numerous unauthorized and wholly illegal bands, organized principally for private plunder, called Skinners and Cowboys, the former being of professed patriotic and the latter of Tory affiliation. But both Skinners and Cowboys were largely undiscriminating as to the object of their operations so long as they could derive any kind of private advantage from them. Washington Irving's description is without doubt familiar to all our readers: This debatable land was overrim by predatory bands from either side ; sacking henroosts, plundering- farmhouses, and driving off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the Skinners and Cowboys, famous in the heroic annals of Westchester County. The former fought, or rather marauded, under the American, the latter under the British banner ; but both, in the hurry of their military ardor, were apt to err on the safe side and rob friend as well as foe.