The Fisher's Reach 405 The few who remained in Newburgh after the exodus of their brethren seem to have been immediately in\-olved in a dispute with their new neighbours, the subject being the possession of the church building. This discussion terminated with the death of the Palatine leader, who was crushed by a falling door. Among the peculiar features of Newburgh 's history is the fact that the "rude forefathers" of that hamlet were not generall\' Dutchmen. To the German settlement were soon added English, Irish, and Huguenot pioneers. Though not equal in antiquity to the towns near the mouth of the river, or yet higher up. in the neighbourhood of Albany, Newburgh enjoys the distinction of being the oldest settlement in Orange County. It was shortly followed b}' the planting of New Windsor, two miles below, that for some time was Newburgh s rival in size and importance. What the Orange County metropolis lacks in earh^ history is more than made up by the importance of later events. It is to the story of Washington and the Revolution what Camelot was to the i\rthurian legends. Here, during the long, gloomy months that preceded the dawn of American independence, the great chief of the Continental army fought and won his greatest battles -- fought the growing and just indignation of that army against a dilatory and ungrateful Congress, fought the spectres of want and care, fought the foolish, fond enthusiasm of his own generals when they

4o6 The Hudson River