Disbrow, Ebenezer, 1775-1868
John M. McDonald interview — 1846
Ebenezer Disbrow may be Ebenezer Squire Disbrow (1775-1868), while Mrs. Couch is likely Patty Couch (1761-1851), whose husband, Joshua Couch (1750-1841), was captured at the Battle of Compo Hill in present-day Westport, Connecticut. Together, they discuss the Battle of Compo Hill.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 470 -
Capt. Ebenezer Disbrow of Compo (Westport) promises to correspond with me and collect &c.
Capt. Ebenezer Disbrow and Mrs. Couch (Mrs. Couch:) The British on the 28th of April 1777 were attacked at Campo by Lamb and Arnold on the west side of the hill (Compo Hill). They advanced and retreated by E. or road. My husband (Mr. Couch) was with Arnold who ordered his men forward over the bridge when the British advanced. They attempted to cross but the fire of the British threw them into confusion.
<left margin> see orgl. p. 123. (?) <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 471 -
and they retreated from the bridge. After a few minutes Arnold returned, ordered and led them across. Old hill was half a mile from [Saugatuck] bridge. [Couch] hill was half or three quarters of a mile from said bridge. Arnold then addressed and encouraged his men and led them on. [He ordered Captain Lockwood to form his company in the column who said he could not. Arnold then drew a pistol, aimed it at his head, and discharged it above him. – Mr. Fairchild.] When the British advanced up Campo Lane, a militia company was stationed behind a stone wall directly at Campo Lane. When the British approached, the commanding officer hailed – – no answer – hailed again, and a voice from the British party said: “We will give you an answer presently.” The American party then fired a volley and retreated.
<left margin> see origl. p. 123. <left margin>