Here the British artillery on Drum Hill cannonaded, and one of their balls striking a stone in the road, it flew into splinters, one of which struck a soldier of McDougall's and killed him, though standing some distance (a hundred yards) off. McDougall then retired to Barrack No 2, about two and half miles from the town, beyond General Van Courtland's house - such barrack being on Gallows Hill. (?) The mills contained Continental grain and flour, and secured by McDougall, &c.

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[margin: (Two Van Cortlandts) 1777] were Van Courtland's mills, situated probably on the Peekskill. (?) The advanced guard of the British was posted on a hill about half a mile south of General Van Courtland's on the east side of the road, and a little to the north of a small conical hill. My father's house, or rather the house belonging to my brother John and me was burnt at this time by the British in consequence, probably, of the family being very warm whigs, and of my brother being in the service as a militia officer.

Old Fort Independence stood on the level part of the Point which puts out north of the Peekskill. - Some of the remains are yet visible at the extremity of the Point, near the large summer boarding house recently erected there by Colonel Pierre Van Courtlandt.

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Our house was the only dwelling house the British burnt in 1777 when they took Peekskill.

The enemy were said to have lost in killed and wounded, in the skirmish with Colonel Willett, fifteen men. (3)