The Yagers had taken the precaution to post a sentinel at Hadle/s spring, but the poor fellow became so perfectly alarmed and powerless on seeing the furious onset of Armand's horse, that he could give no alarm, and was instantly dispatched. The consequence was, the whole corps were killed or made prisoners. Cononcl Armand then made goo.l his retreat, passing in front of the Van Cortlandt residence, and returning by way of Tippett's valley. In

62 2 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

the mean time the British bugle sounded to horse, and his enemies \vctc in full pursuit. On arriving at the Van Cortlandt house a vigoro'js search was made for Armand, who was by this time far advanced on his retreat to the Croton. ^

On the Van Cortlandt estate is situated Indian bridge and field ; the the former crosses Tippet's brook, the latter forms a portion of the Cortlandt woods -- an extensive range of woodland to the north-east of the mansion. Both these places are memorable as the scene of a severe engagement between the British troops and Stockbridge Indians, on the 31st of August, 177S.

The action is thus related in Simcoe's Military Journal: --

"Lt. Col. Simcoe, returning from head quarters, the 20th of August, heard a firujg in front, and being informed that Lt. Col. Emmerick had patrolled, hv immediate!}' marched to bis assistance. He soon met liim retreating ; aad Lt. Col. Emuierick -being of opinion the rebels were in such force, that it would tn.- advisable to return, he did so. Lt. Col. Simcoe imderstood that Nimham, an Indian chief, and some of his tribe, were with the enemy ; and by his spies, who were excellent, he was informed that they v;ere highly elated at the retreat cf Emmerich's corps, and applied it to the whole of the light troops at Iliugsbridgc.