October 30th. Jotham Carpenter, of North Castle: I am 85 years old and was a boy of twelve when the Revolution Commenced. I believe that the first excursion of the enemy was when James Miller was killed. This occurred on the high ground half a mile north east of Smith's Tavern and near the Post road. A party of the enemy advanced in front and the militia stood firm, but another party got in the rear which when they perceived they fled. James Miller being an elderly man ran slow, and was over taken in the fields east of the road about a quarter of a mile from the road, and three quarters of a mile north east of Smith's and cut to pieces by the horsemen with their swords.

Anthony Tripp an old Friend sixty years old or so was then hoeing corn

near by. Finding a gun near him they took him prisoner. They also took another old friend named Gilbert Palmer. In retreating they halted for refreshments at Tommy Clapp's near King Street. The prisoners were put in a smoke house for safety and when they resumed their march the two old men were left behind. The other prisoners were taken on. The enemy took off at the same time two horses of a friend John Cornell. These they left at Clapp's, and Anthony Tripp and John Cornell rode back upon them. The enemy were all horsemen. They burnt no houses this time and didn't plunder much.