They started and after proceeding four or five miles night overtook them + was likely to be very dark + rainy; *the* Lieutenant hesitated about pro= ceding farther as he had no orders + if any thing disastrous should happen he might be censured, but concluded to leave it to Oakley and Dyckman; the *counselled* together + agreed to proceed. When within two or three miles of Delancey's outpost they took an inhabitant who was in the habit of frequenting daily the outpost + trading with the enemy + who know the countersign or watchman
- Hufeland Index Page 1089 -
when hailed by a sentinel. This man informed them there was a refugee in bed upstairs who would answer their purposes better than himself. Oakley went upstairs *ordered* him up + informed him what they wanted; he said if he was found out they would hang him. Oakley gave him his word of honor that it should not be made known as long as the war *earlier*. They learned from the refugee that the outpost had but one sentinel, it being so dark and stormy that they were not apprehensive of an attack. When within one hundred yards of the house they halted and informed the soldiers what was to be done. They told the refugee if he was faithful as soon as they effected their purpose he might go, but if he had deceived them they would kill him on the spot. They then placed the refugee in front two soldiers, one behind the other + Oakley behind them that they might appear as one man + ordered the refugees when hailed to answer but press forward + the soldiers when near enough to spring forward + seize the sentry which they did with his gun on his shoulder.