Frost estate!, Croton, saw a barge tilled with men from the "Vulture" approaching the shore. They seized their gnus, which they had taken with them to their work, ran to the river, concealed themselves behind some rocks, and as the barge approached Peterson tired, and great confusion ensued. A second shot from Sherwood compelled the barge to return to the " Vulture." The British returned the fire, with no effect except to alarm the neighborhood. This occurrence, when told Andre upon his arrival, suggested (o him a method of notifying Arnold of his presence on board the " Vulture." On the morning of the 21st he addressed a letter to Arnold in his own handwriting (with which Arnold was familiar), signed by Captain Andrew Sutherland and countersigned by J. Anderson, secretary. This was the name assumed by Andre in his previous correspondence with Arnold. The letter complained of a violation of military rule in that a boat the day before had been decoyed on shore and tired upon by armed men concealed in the bushes. It was sent by the flag of truce to Verplanck's Point and delivered to Colonel James Livingston, who was then in command of the American forces there.

CAPTURE

ANDRE

Arnold rode through Peekskill to Verplanck's Point on the morning of the 21st, and Colonel Livingston handed him the letter which he had just received from Andre. Arnold then crossed the river and went to Joshua Ilett Smith's house. Prom Stony Point he dispatched an officer in his own barge up the river to Peekskill Creek, and thence to Canopus Creek, with orders to bring down a row-boat from that place, and directed Major William Kierse, the quartermaster at Stony Point, to send the boat the moment it should arrive to a certain place in Haverstraw Creek.