Here the British artillery on Drum Hill can- -onaded, 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 a half miles from the town, beyond General Van Courtland's house - such barracks being on Gallow's Hill. (?) The mills contained Continental grain and flour, and secured by McDougall, &c.
- Hufeland Index Page 236 -
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 Peeks-Kill. - 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 Courtland.
<left margin> Two Van Courtlands O.H <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 237 -
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 skir- -mish with Colonel Willet, fifteen men. (?) Mr. Jackson Odell says that he dwelling house of Captain John Lilly, bunt in July 1776, stood on Ver- -Planks Point. Brom Dyckman was interred in the burying ground at Crompond and (as I understand) the particular spot is not known, there being no monument to mark the place.
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 skir- -mish with Colonel Willet, fifteen men. (?) Mr. Jackson Odell says that he dwelling house of Captain John Lilly, bunt in July 1776, stood on Ver- -Planks Point. Brom Dyckman was interred in the burying ground at Crompond and (as I understand) the particular spot is not known, there being no monument to mark the place.