258 914 [margin: decap. 116 - 125 of copy. and 76 - 81. of origl.] October 27th Andrew Corsa, aged 89: "On Sunday morning before sunrise, I was waked up by Cornelius and John Oakley at my father's house, which stood where the Roman Catholic College of St. John's now stands, and informed that General Washington wanted me that day for a guide through Morrisania and Fordham. This was on the 22d of July 1781. I immediately dressed and went with them. - Directly in front of D. Bowers gate I found Genl. Washington, Count Rochambeau, Lauzun, and the officers of the American and French staffs all on horseback. While in their presence Isaac Webbers one of the guides asked me whether there were any of Delancey's or Emmerick's Refugees who were quartered any where near, as they should be glad to capture them (or their horses). I perceived instantly that he wanted the Refugee horses as they had the best in the county, and answered: "Yes - last night I saw Sergeant Hilliard of Emmericks dragoons and Jno. Travers at a house between here [margin: & Sometimes written TRAVIS.]

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915261 and West Farms. Push on quick and you may take them. But take care that Hilliard don't see you before you lay hands on him, for if he once gets in his saddle you'll never take him in the world, for he's a most determined rider and has the fleetest horse that's known about here." The guides were all eager for the capture and the generals gave their consent. They furnished me with a horse, and we all set off at full speed, but Hilliard and Travis had got sight of us and mounted just before we reached the house. We pursued and took Travis, but we could not come up with Hilliard whom we chased through the fields for more than two miles.