Wli ite I 'lains His con lpany of Rang! ■i's was placed " under the inn uedia te comma ind of the committee of

safety." In a short time Dean was at the bend of a picked troop of horse which included the best of the local militia, and for his subordinates were several of the famous " guides " of the Neutral Ground. As a test of the character of the troops, it may be uoted that the company was retained intact through three enlistments (1777-78).

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

this capacity, under Captain Wright, of the 2d Connecticut, he took part in the fruitless descent of the continental army upon the British outposts at Kingsbridge, and he was in several brisk skirmishes, in one of which he lost his horse. During the preceding year he had been taken a prisoner, but was shortly paroled by Colonel de Lancey and secured an exchange. Abbatt points out that of the party of militia who guarded the roads on the memorable day Dean was the officer in command; that he had disposed the party, himself with the greater number of the party taking their position on a neighboring road where it was exHe further pected anumber of Cowboys would more probably pass. WillPaulding, when prisoner the of charge took Dean that shows iams, and Van Wart brought him to the top of the hill, that Dean exercised commendable discretion in delivering him with the least possible loss of time at Jameson's headquarters, and that when the question of responsibility and reward for the capture was brought up it was ho who reported to Jameson the names of the three captors. The connection of John Dean with the capture is brought into As a tried oreater prominence in the light of recent researches.