The next day (Monday) we went down again
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but this time, advanced no further than the Mill. Both times we returned in a pretty direct line across the fields of Fordham. The last time the army (as I heard) encamped for the night somewhere towards Valentine's Hill. In the action which occurred on the morning of July 3rd 1781, I and seve- -ral other striplings found DeLancey at the Negro Fort. He wanted to send orders to Captain Totten who was in front and near the American forces, and for some reason or other selected me I delivered the orders accordingly which were that the West Chester Refugees should immediately retire as they were in imminent danger of being cut off. Totten made no answer, and DeLancey then sent me with peremptory orders to withdraw. When I delivered these last orders Totten was much irritated but complied. He complained that Colonel DeLancey did not understand
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the position of the two armies and ought not to interfere, that he knew his own business best, and that he should lose a capital opportunity of striking a blow particularly at Lauzun's corps. The old Jail and Court House at West Chester were in the same building, the Jail being below, and the Court House above. The basement was of stone and the upper story of wood. Bearmore's men dressed in green and DeLancy's in all colors. De- -Lancey's horse in general were in uniform with military hats and caps, but the foot were not usually in regular uniform. Colonel Armand appeared to be a strong thick set man. By the old road, it was from Dennis Valentine's to Morrisania about six miles, and about two and a half to Fort No. 8, and to Robert Morris's pre- -sent residence.