Here were quartered Colonel Emmerick's British light horse. The British Hussars were billeted here for several summers. The Ryche's mansion being occupied as head quarters, it was the custom of the troopers to tie up their horses to long cords stretched from the apple trees in the orchard, many of which are still standing. For security the roads were patrolled and videttes stretched along the neighboring heights. The remains of bastions are still visible on their summits.

In 1776, the American Rifle Corps were stationed here; and from this place crossed the Bronx to attack and harrass the British flank, as they ir>oved towards White Plains, after landing on Throgmorton's neck. Subsequent to the memorable battle of "White Plains the British returned to Mile Square, reconstructed Hunt's bridge, and occupied the hill forts.

In 1778, the British light infantry and Highland companies under General Simcoe, formed an ambuscade in an orchard, at the place where the roads fork to Hunt's bridge and Valentine's hill, in the hope of surprising a large and strong body of the American army m©\ing on the opposite side of the Bronx. It appears from the British account as related by Simcoe, that,

"Hunt's bridge was commanded by the heights on the side of Kings- Bridge, which tho enemy had fortified ia 1770. In the British rear was a wood; it had been designed to conceal tlie Queen's Bangers under General Simcoe, and while the Yagers and cavalry should have engaged with any corps wl\o might patrolc to Valentine's hill, it was thought probable that the enemy ou the opposite side of the Bronx would puss over to their assistance, when the infantry and Higlilanicrs would rush from the wood, and occupying the fences do severe and cool execution upon them as they were on the bridge and occupied iu the deep hollow.