From Beacon Hill the huge watch-fires, lighted to give warning of the approach of the enemy or to celebrate the advent of peace, could be seen from the peaks of the Catskills, the rugged tops of the Highlands, the hills of Westchester, or the far-away elevations of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. On a level plateau at the base of the hills the encampment of the American army was at one time situated; and fortified works, manned by detachments from the camp, were placed upon hills that commanded the approach. Here, after the battle of White Plains, were brought the wounded soldiers, many of whom lie in unidentified graves near the spot. According to the writer c(uoted above, "Upon one of the hills rising out of this mountain passway very distinct lines of earthworks are still apparent. ' ' Fishkill Landing, Matteawan (so named from an Indian sub-tribe), and Fishkill village are here grouped, as they are in reality, under one name. Along with Re\^olutionary story there is a later flavour of the

41 S The Hudson River

delightful conser\'ative life of old country families, with traditions of wholesome living and hospitalitv to balance the inborn thrift of a race whose forebears wrested their acres with pain and sweat of brow from the abounding wilderness. Modern Fishkill is generally known as a place where brick-makers nourish a perennial strike and where hat factories abound. It is stated with authorit}^ however, that the idea of associating bricks with hats did not originate in Fishkill. Carthage lies about four miles to the north of Fishkill Landing. It was formerly known as Low Point, to distinguish it from the High Point -- New Hamburg -- two miles above. The latter village lies at the mouth of Wappenger's (or Wappingi's) Creek, so named from the Indians who once owned the land on the east shore from this vicinity south to the island of Manhattan.