Greene in command : --

"The advance guard of the Americau army, were on Croton river, which falls into the Hudson about 30 miles above New York, over this v>-ere two bridges at several miles distant from each other; near that on the main road, was stationed the principal part of the guard, consisting on the whole, of a Major's cnraniand; a Captain's command being detached some miles on the right and left. Small parties patrolled l.ielow the bridges. The quarters Major Flngg had taken, were two or three miles from the bridge, but at no great distance froiu the river, which at that time was not supposed to be fordable : this, however, was a mistake, and proved fatal to the party.

Col. de Lancey, who stooped so f,-jr from the dignity of a gentleman, as to command a regiment of freebooters, who subsisted on plunder, and served without pay, marched a strong piirty of Horse and Foot, into the vicinity of the post undiscovered, gettiug information of the quarters occupied by Col. Greene, >[ajor Flagg and several other ol!iccrs, secured only by a sergeant's guard : and finding a fordable place in the river, not far off, he passed his troops, and dividing his force into two parties, sent one to the bridge, where they surprised and took a subaltern's guard, and with the other, marched to Col. Greene's quarters. As our officer had no idea of their pas.-ing the river except at the bridge. tlie_v had taken no precautions to prevent a surprise. In addition to this, the quarter guard-scntiDul, and all, were asleep; by this means the house was surrounded by the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut off before the danger was discovered. The officers were all asleep in one rooni ; on being awakenctl liy the firing without, they sprang from Ihuir beds and seized on arms.