It was to this plan and its steadfast pursuance with every manifestation of soberest earnestness that the conquest of American liberties at Yorktown was undividedly due. And it is the proud boast of our County of Westchester that here, on our soil -- entirely on our soil -- the grand programme was inaugurated, developed, prosecuted, and brought to the threshold of assured success. At the opening of the spring (March 6) Washington left his headquarters at New Windsor on the west side of the Hudson and went to visit the French general at Newport. The result of this interview was indecisive. At that time the further immediate intentions of the French ministry were uncertain. It was not known at what part of our coast the expected fleet would arrive, or when. Upon his return Washington occupied himself with the details of improving the organization of his army, meantime giving such attention as he could to the situation at the South. Lafayette had been sent thither and had begun the brilliant work in Virginia which stands so much to his credit.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

On the 13th of May a terrible event happened on the lines in Westchester County. Colonel Christopher Greene, in command at Oblenus's Ford on the Croton River, above Pine's Bridge, was surprised by a party of de Lancey's Refugees (supposed to have consisted of about one hundred horse and two hundred foot), and was killed with excessive barbarity, several other officers and many men perishing with him. Greene was an officer of notable courage, address, and proficiency; brilliant, generous, and noble; a great favorite of Washington's and indeed one of the ornaments of the American army. A citizen of Rhode Island, he entered the service1 at the beginning of the war, was with Arnold in Canada, and during the operations on the Delaware in the fall of 1777 was intrusted by Washington with the defense of the vitally important post of Fort Mercer (Red Rank).