Squads were posted on all sides for the protection of property so that the soldiers could not steal or destroy had they been so disposed. The French camp formed a good market where everything was paid for in hard money at the highest rate. A French general had his quarters at Gilbert Underhills about 400 yards south of our house. When they came, they advanced from the north west and cut a road through our wheat fields of which they were very careful, posting sentries all round for its protection. When

they retired, they marched the same way, -- that is, by their right through the wheat field, and in the direction of Colonel Odell's, or a little west of his house. The farm of James Tompkins was near to and a little south of the French camp.

He was an uncommonly strong man and of a very irritable disposition. One day he found a French soldier riding a mare which belonged to him in company with others to the watering place, and ordered him to dismount. The Frenchman refused. He immediately seized the horse and dragged the rider off. The soldiers attempted to regain the horse, but he knocked or threw down everyone that approached him. They then made a great outcry calling out "Refugee! Refugee! and multitudes of comrades soon came to their assistance and surrounded James Tompkins, who drew a stake from the fence and for a long time defended himself -- beating, and knocking down

all within his reach. Closing up on all sides the soldiers at last took him prisoner, and conducting him to Headquarters called upon General Rochambeau to punish him. Extremely exasperated the soldiers were very desirious he should be hanged. To gratify them Rochambeau kept him for some time under guard, and when he was released said to him: "You little man must never attack the French army again." He solemnly promised he would not.