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November 4th Capt. David Miller, of Bedford, aged : "When Bedford was burnt old Ben Hayes kept tavern in the village and his house was burnt in consequence probably of his being a very strong whig. The house belonged to Col. Holmes, and I have been informed that he commanded the Refugees and others on this occasion - though this may not be so. The attack- -ing force consisted of the Refugees as well as Regulars (altogether four or five hundred as I have heard) but the former set all the houses on fire. They intended at that time to destroy the buildings of some whigs in the Middle Patent and part of them attempted to retreat through this place for that purpose. They accordingly took the Bedford and Stanwich road, but the two bridges which
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cross the Mianus river having been taken up, they would not ford the muddy stream and so retired towards White Plains by the Post road. The Cowboys and Skinners fre- -quently had an understanding &c. The Skinners would collect cattle under some pretence, for instance, alledging it to be for their safety and protection when the Refugees were up, or making some such excuse - then take care to get their drove into an ambuscade of the Lower Party. A sham fight would ensue. - the drove would be sure to be taken and perhaps some of the Skinners, while the others would escape sometimes with the reputation of having made a brave defence. I don't know anything of Finch or Wardell said to have been from Bed- -ford and killed at Chappequa by a party under Capt. Samuel Kipp.