Holdridge's men and the neighbouring militia on the second eminence as you enter the village from the New York drawing up the troops across the road with the two cannon in the road and a little south west of the church (towards New York) which stands on the second eminence. When the British arrived at the first eminence they halted a moment and then advanced slowly, having previously sent out strong flanking parties to get in rear of the Americans on both sides. The centre then advanced slow and
- Hufeland Index Page 059 -
Zaccheus Mead cont'd.
the flanks fast (in order to surround the Americans). The field pieces were fired twice loaded with grape &c, and then abandoned. Putnam finding the British were getting around him and about to seize the roads &c, ordered a retreat, directing Colonel Holdridge to take possession of a neighboring hill, but he retreated five or six miles to Stanwich. Putnam pursued by Emmerick rode down the hill where the road suddenly turns off east, striking the stepping stones three fourths of the way down. Some of the dragoons were looking on above in amaze- -ment. Putnam turned around, took his hat and huzzaed. Most of the dragoons did not see him when he turned to descend the hill, but pursued on the road leading north to Stanwich where I came near being taken by them. Putnam then went to Stamford and the British to the landings where they destroyed some slopes and the salt work. &c. They destroyed the gun carriages