Knapp on this occasion came up the North River road to Tarrytown and from that place went on the Clark's corner. When Captain Knapp joined us we were about a mile north of Buttermilk Hill. Knapp retreated by the same road on which he advanced. Knapp (I understood) and the other Refugee officers were in the habit of exacting from the drovers one half or one fourth or some part of the profits they made. On the above occasion the droves were almost in despair at the
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time Knapp made his appearance, pushing the wearied cattle forward and crying out: We are lost! - We shall be taken!" &c. I had been prevailed upon to go down this time by the drovers who said Morrisania was a fine place where I should be able to live in peace and quiet. I, in common with many of the neighbors, had been whipped and cruelly used by the Skinners and insolent Whigs who some- -times hanged men for their money. One Mosier who was hanged would not tell where his money was but remained resolute to the last. When almost dead he was cut down. He said that when he found himself dying he said to himself in consolation: "Now the villains won't get my money after all their trouble!" He was a man of great resolution. The Skinners came to my fathers once, disguised, with blackened faces, and demanded his money. He gave up what was in the house. They demanded the money he had hidden. He refused. They took the