On the night preceding the attack, he had stationed his camp at the foot of Boar hill, directlyopposite the parsonage, for the better purpose of paying a special visit to this lady. It is said that whilst engaged in urging his suit the enemywere quietly surrounding his quarters ; he had barely received his final dismissal from Mrs. Babcock when he was startled with the firing of musketry. The following account of the attack is thus gi%en by the British commander, Lieut. Col. Simcoe : --

" Colonel Gist, who commanded a light corps of the rebels, v.-as posted near Babcock's house, from whence he made frequent i)atrols. Lieut. Col. Simcoe had determined to attack him ; when, a deserter coming in, at night, who gave an accurate account of his position, the following

a This IS a clc-'criptlon of li>is.

652 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

morning was fixed upon for the attempt. General Kniphausen, wi:a commanded at Kings Bridge, approved of the enterprise, and ordered a detachment of the Yagers to co-operate in it; Lieut. Col. Emnicrick undertook to lead the march, having in his corps people who were wlII acquainted with the country.

The following disposition was made. Emmerich's infantry, followed by the Queen's Rangers, were to march through the meadows on t/ic side of Valentine's hill, opposite Cortland's ridge, and pass between the rebel sentries to Babcock's house, when they would be in the rear of Gist's encampment, which they were immediately to attack. Lieut. Col. Tarleton, widi the whole of the cavalry, was to proceed to covt-r the right, and arrive at Valentine's hill by daylight ; a detachment of Yagers, under Capt. Wreden, were to march on Cortland's ridge, and to halt opposite to Gist's encampment; and a larger detachment of Yagers, under Major Pruschank, were, at the same time, to be ready to force Philiy.se's bridge, then to proceed to the bridge opposite Babcock's house, and to cut off the enemy's retreat by that road.