Indeed, it was not an unusual thing to have our sentinels fired on from parties who would crawl up in the darkness of night and then disappear." But during this period, and indeed throughout the winter of 1780-81, there were few engagements or surprises in our county on any important scale. It was mostly a petty border warfare. The only movement of more than ordinary consequence was a foraging expedition made by the American General Stark, the hero of Bennington, with some 2,500 men, to White Plains and vicinity. But he encountered no force of the foe. The impetuous Lafayette was anxious before the close of the season to perform something aggressive which would redound to the credit of the Revolutionary arms and produce a moral effect to relieve the general gloom caused by the desertion of Arnold. He formed a project for an attack on Xew York through Westchester (V)unty. But nothing came of this. The army was in no condition for that scheme of aggression or any other, and indeed, as too soon appeared, its officers had all they could do to hold it together. Winter quarters were entered about the end of November in camps at Morristown, Pompton, West Point, and the Highlands. The French, under Rochambeau, remained at Newport, where, since their arrival in July, they had lain inactive. The year 1781, which was to terminate the armed struggle for in-

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

dependence, opened with an event not less appalling in its way than had been the disasters of the preceding year in the South and the Arnold treason. On the 1st day of January the whole Pennsylvania line, 2,000 strong, mutinied and marched off from the Morristown camp toward Philadelphia to seek a redress of grievances. This was no impulsive, ill-considered action, but well deliberated and carefully organized.