The troops in the neighbourhood at that time consisted of a sergeant's guard of French infantry and a troop of dragoons commanded by Colonel Sheldon, whose regiment lay at Dobbs Ferry. These soldiers, dismounting, worked with great spirit in assisting to unload the stores from the sloops, but were soon subjected to a galling fire from the British frigates. Under cover of this cannonading, two gunboats and four barges crept in to destroy the sloo]is; but the Americans on board, though greatly inferior in number, had no idea of abandoning their task. Captain Hurlburt, of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons, commanded twelve intrepid men, armed only with swords and pistols, who resisted till the last possible moment, l:iut were driven awa}' by the overwhelming attack of the British. But the intrepid commander rallied his force once more and, aided by the fire of the French infantry and dismounted dragoons, returned to the sloops by swimming, and succeeded in extinguishing the flames kindled by their foes. This heroic feat was second to none in daring, as we must realise when we consider the nature of the cargo contained by the supply vessels, and the immediate risk of explosion incurred. The British were driven away and failed in their purpose, but the brave Hurlburt received injuries from which he never recovered, dvine from the eftects of

236 The Hudson River

them about two }'ears later. This action, hardly noticed in general history, should at least be chronicled among important minor actions of the war, and the name of Hurlburt be honoured with those of Gushing or Hobson. The most notable of all historic events connected with this part of the river was the capture of Major John Andre at Tarrytown, in September, 1780. Fresh from his interview with the traitorous Arnold, within the American lines, Andre was escaping on horseback, in disguise, to Xew York, when stopped by the three American militiamen, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart.