Coutant, John, 1754-1850
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-11-10
John Coutant (1754-1850) begins his interview by describing an American attack on a Hessian force near Ward’s House in Eastchester on October 23, 1776. At the time, the bulk of the British army was encamped in New Rochelle, and a portion of the army was on the Coutant family farm near present-day Webster Avenue and Eastchester Road . Coutant indicates that he brought some wounded Hessians over a rough road from the site of the battle to the main encampment in New Rochelle. He also discusses a skirmish that took place later in the vicinity of New Rochelle, and notes that in 1776 the British army took a supply of salt that the American army had stored in New Rochelle Church. Coutant concludes the interview by discussing the approach made by a British force at a second skirmish at Ward’s House on March 16, 1777.
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Transcription
178 393 51. Widow Sutton near Le Fevre's (the wheelwright). Widow Toffey on the White Plains road. Widow Merritt, of Scarsdale, near Judge Brown's.
November 10. John Coutant, of New Rochelle. "The Skirmish between the Americans and Hessians in October 23^d and 24^th 1776 (?) was about a mile from here, near Mrs. Morell's house, in the fields, this side. The Hessians probably had been out towards East Chester plundering when they were attacked by the Americans who surrounded them. About eight wounded Hessians were brought in here. Great alarm in camp - Drums beat to arms. Wounded men were taken on board hospital ship in East river the next day by me and our team. While conducting them an alarm was made by an officer that the rebels were coming from Fort Washington and we were ordered to turn about. A false alarm - but we did turn about. When I shook the wounded in driving over the rough road they screamed, and the Hessian guards abused me. This was [page break] 394 181 52 in the forenoon about 7 or 8 o'clock. The British army all turned out, about the middle of the war an American Captain with a detachment of men were perceived by a body of British horse in East Chester near the church. The Americans took to the fields, and crossed through [New Rochelle?] a little west of me about half a mile. An =American, I think, was with the British party, but I don't know who command =ed the American party. The Americans crossed a swamp near the White Plains road and [New Rochelle?] passing over ground where cavalry could not act, and took the opportunity to make a general discharge. British attempted to charge repeatedly, but the American captain was so judicious that he brought his men safely off. I think this was a scouting party. Probably a scouting party of C. Oakley. (?) Once (1777? White and Simcoe ?) the British charged the Americans near [page break] 182 395 53. D^r Bailey's, and the British horses were so fretted that they ran among the Americans and the riders were cut to pieces. The wounded men (four or five in number) were taken care of by the town. In 1776, the British took the Americans salt which was stored in New Rochelle church. Ward's house was surrounded in 1777 before the Americans were aware of it. The British were piloted by a Scotch fellow of mine, one Schureman. The sentinels were taken without giving any alarm.