One day he found a French soldier riding a mare which belonged to him in company with others to the watering place, and ordered him to dismount. The Frenchman refused. He immediately seized the horse and dragged the rider off. The soldiers attempted to regain the horse, but he knocked or threw down everyone that approached him. They then made a great outcry calling out "Refugee! Refu- -gee! and multitudes of comrades soon came to their assistance and surrounded James Tompkins, who drew a stake from the fence and for a long time defended himself - beating and knocking down
- Hufeland Index Page 497 -
all within his reach. Closing up on all sides the soldiers at last took him prisoner, and conducting him to Head- -quarters called upon General Rochambeau to punish him. Extremely exasperated the soldiers were very desirous he should be hanged. To gratify them Rochambeau kept him for some time under guard, and when he was released said to him: "You little man must never attack the French army again." He solemnly pro- -mised he would not. The French general whose tent was near my father's gave a great entertainment while there, erecting a bower for the purpose on the large flat rock there (Dumas?) Another French general had his quar- -ters at Mr. Gilbert Underhills, 400 yards south of our house. They slaughtered their cattle at a place between our house and the road in front, near which, and close to the lane that now leads from our