One of the principal affidavits upon which the claim was founded was that of Caleb Morgan which was drawn by himself. The affidavit was now on file at Washington states that some Royalists who were advised of what was going on at Crum Pond ap- -plied to Colonel Robinson who was on board a vessel of war in the north river for a force to destroy the American guard house and stores &c, and that Robinson sent Major Abercrombie with a detachment of Infantry from Peekskill or Verplanks Point. This detachment was guided by the said Caleb Morgan, surprised the American Post and burnt Strang's house. (?)
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Robinson's orders were: "Burn up the Rebel Guard House and Sackett too." Sackett was a son of the Presby- -terian minister, and kept a store near by. (?) The church was destroyed by a body of cavalry who surprised the guard just after the roll had been called and they had gone to breakfast being billeted in the adjoining houses. The church was occupied by the militia as a place of deposit for their stores and arms &c. I think the party that destroyed the house of Major Strang had no cavalry, and the party that burnt the Church no infantry. Colonel Greene was surprized at Davenports house, situated in the fields between Croton River and the road leading from Pine's Bridge to Crum- -pond, said houses being about three fourths of a mile from Blaine's ford, about