Finding that this didn't produce the necessary effect the British determined to storm the privateers and their allies. I was a boy and saw the attack. The troops were sheltered by some high rocks behind which they lay in safety. The privateers men took their cannon ashore which was put in position and fired briskly upon the British shipping as they approached As the British came towards the shore, they (the British) fired the first ball, and
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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 old Indian who lived there, and from whom the place was so called.
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The schoolhouse, 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.