The party from Salem and Stephentown wishing to take the nearest road home were anxious to leave us when we reached (approached) the Croton and we agreed to go to Orser's house on the banks of the North River, re- -fresh ourselves and our horses and divide our plunder. It was now about 9 o'clock a.m. Our horses were put in the barn, stable, and barnyard and fed, and we proceeded to sell our spoils at auction. - While these events were going on the enemy were probably reinforced at Dobbs Ferry and renewed the
- Hufeland Index Page 167 -
pursuit, but not overtaking us had pulled up between Tarry town and Sing Sing and wheeled about to return, when they were overtaken by a man named Curry who had passed us when we halted near Orsers and who informed them where we were. They now once more pushed forward and when they approached Orsers sent one party of about forty or fifty around through a lane who got in our rear and lay in ambush to cut off our retreat. This party by a circuitous march occupied the ground north of Orsers while the other party (of about fifteen or twenty) advanced upon us to the attack under cover of the orchard which extended down the banks of the North River south of the house. Captain Williams had been averse to our halting here, urging us to cross the Croton and join a guard of about twenty five or thirty man posted at Courtland's