Thompson's out -guard was at Grendahl Allaire's on the east side of the Sprain road about half a mile south of Youngs. This outpost was eight or ten in number - a sergeant's guard and supposed at first they could defend themselves, but were surrounded and all taken but one who escaped on Snow shoes across the fields. Thompson had 80 or 100 snow shoes, and was urged either to put them on his men and move against the enemy, or to fall back upon the advancing [margin: White Plains Allaire's]

[page break]

21. relief guard or draw his forces within the house, but he declined to adopt any of these suggestions, and drew up his troops in front out on the right of the house, towards Hammonds. Captain Roberts was killed at the first fire. He was a brave man, very much beloved by the neighboring inhabitants and his death much lamented. Colonel NORTON in his advance left his artillery about two miles south of Youngs on a rising ground near James Sniffens a little to the west of the Sprain road. His object in this as was said at the time, was to secure a safe retreat in case they sustained a repulse at Youngs. Norton retreated, as he had advanced by the Sprain and Turkeyhoe roads leaving some of the wounded Americans in some houses on the road, but where in particular I don't know. When I saw these wounded they were being removed on the road between Youngs and White Plains. John Paulding was a bold and enterprising man. He was once [margin: Norton's cannon - retreat - Paulding.]