As the British came towards the shore, they (the British) fired the first ball, and [page break] 963 53 [PARIS] then grape &c. which tore up the trees and bushes. The moment they came within musket shot, the militia and troops rose and fired, with wonderful effect. A great many must have been killed &c! The enemy immediately slackened sail, turned about, and withdrew without any further effort on their part, and the privateers conse quently escaped. The British hoisted sail and made for Long Island or New York. The Privateers next day or day after escaped to the eastward where they had come from. The Americans this day were probably commanded by the Continental Officer stationed at Horseneck, but it might have been Colonel Mead."

Brom Barrett was not from this part of the country. He might have been an Irishman.

Coscob (spelt cos.) is the name of an Indian who lived there, and from whom the place was so called. [page break] 54 964 [PARIS] The School house, occupied during the war as a guard house and prison, stood about twenty rods east of the Bridge. When the sentry was killed at the school house (see Enos Hobby's account) the officer in command was thought to have done wrong. He posted the third sentinel without informing him where the second was.

Whaleboats sometimes used sails and masts which they raised and lowered or struck at pleasure.

At the capture of the Shuldham, Andrew Mead, was the first man who boarded. He saw the British sailors run to get the spears, and he then armed himself with one and called out to his followers to do the same. He told me the story. He was always the foremost in every thing.