Near Chappequa, tl^y halted for a short time at the house of Daniel Underbill, and then proceeded by the west road -- which is an intersection of the present Sing Sing turnpike -- till they arrived at the residence of ]Mr. Lyon ; here, tliey anxiously awaited the withdrav\-al of the American guard at Oblenus's ford, which is nearly one mile west of Pir.e's Bridge. Up to this moment no one of the party, save their commandei and his guide, knew the object for which they had been detailed. According to General Heath's account, the American officers appear to have had no i'lea that the enemy would dare to cross the ford after sunrise ; and therefore had taken no precaurions to prevent it. By tliis means, Davenport's house was surounded by the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut 0*7 before the danger was discovered. De Lancey remained on the south side of the river, probably with a viev.- to cover the retreat of the party, if it should prove necessary.

To General Heath's account of the surprisal, we m.ust be permitted to add the follo\\-ing extract from Col. H. Lee's history of the Southern war : --

" In the springof ITSI. wlieu General Wasliington began to expect the promised naval aid from our best friend, the ill-fated Louis XVI. , lie occasionally approached the enemy's lines on the side of York island. In one of these movements. Col. Green, with a suitable force, was posted on tlie Crotou Biver, in advance of the army. On the other side of this river lay a corps of rcfui^ecs. (American citizens wlio had joined the British army,) under tlie command of Col. Delancy. The.se half citizens, half soldiers, were notorious for rapine and murder; and to their vindictive conduct may be justly ascribed mcst of tlie cruelties which stained tlie progress of our war. and wliich at length compelled Washington to order Captain Asgill, of tlic British army, to be brouglit to head.-qua.'-ters, for the purpo.se of retaliating, by his execution, for the murder of Cajit.