Before Oakley could get on his feet Dyckman sprang in over his back at the same time the soldiers burst open the door + they took 24 prisoners + one of them was a cornet in Delancey's horse; their surprise was so sudden, that but three or four of the enemy had time to seize their muskets - Oakley and Dyckman hurried off their prisoners + had gone 3 miles, when the alarm gun of the enemy fired. They hurried on their prisoners and reached their American lines in safety.
- Hufeland Index Page 1091 -
Oakleys escape from the Refugees at Mamaroneck
Cornelius Oakley had been down as guide to a Lieuts. Command on a scouting party. When returning through Mamaroneck + Rye, Oakley saw Benjamin Griffin standing at the door of a house on Rye neck about 12 or 15 rods from the road. When Griffin saw Oakley he drew back and disappeared. Oakley rode into a gate near the road and enquired if he did not see Benjamin Griffen there; they said no. He insisted that he had seen him at the door + told them to tell him to come out, that he should not hurt him. He then came to the door + Oakley asked him for something to eat. Griffen gave him some cake + a mug of cider, while sitting on his horse.
Griffen expected they would be pursued + kept looking out for the enemy; he soon saw they were in sight + told Oakley of it. He paid but little attention to it, although he was there alone, the rest of the party having gone on. He sat still while he had drank the cider and eaten the cake. He then handed Griffen the mug drew up the reins, drew his sword, put spurs on his horse, *shoiled* + rode out of the gate, when the enemy were within twenty yards of him + made his escape in safety.