Lyon, James, 1761-1850
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-11-04
James Lyon (1761-1850) notes that Armand’s Legion, an American unit commanded by Colonel Charles Armand, was encamped “off and on” near his home in Bedford. He then recounts a raid made by Refugee cavalry into Bedford via Clark’s Corner (now Pleasantville) and New Castle. The cavalry set several fires that were extinguished by civilians, and the American militia pursued the Refugees back toward Clark’s Corner. Lyon then recalls an incident during which he and three soldiers who had been discharged from the 4th Continental Light Dragoons (Moylan’s Horse) lay in wait for a Refugee cattle drive going south to the British lines. Lyon decided to leave the party, which ended up being attacked by a party of Refugees. He concludes by describing American Lieutenant William Mosier, his half-brother-in-law, and recounts an anecdote that he heard from him regarding his fight of December 2, 1781.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 800 -
Novr. 4th. James Lyon, of Bedford, New Castle (?) [X], aged 87: “Colonel Armand and his legion lay for some time off and on, about a mile or more from my house where three roads meet. Once, towards the end of the war, the Refugees came up in force – the foot remained at or near Clark’s corner. The horse then came by Stephen Lounsbury’s into Succabone Street where they fired Cornelius Clarks house. – They went no further east, but turned west, and went back to New Castle, setting fire to two or three other houses by the way. None of these houses were burnt – the inhabitants in every instance extinguishing the flames. The militia then all turned out, Mosemans, and Vermilles, &c. and pursued and overtook them a mile
[X] New Rochelle?
- Hufeland Index Page 801 -
north of Clark’s corner. Here the militia had a skirmish with a party of them, but no time was lost. We followed (a part of us) as far as Clark’s corner. I was not with them, however. In coming back they found some bottles and money the Refugees had left in their hurry. They took no cattle this time, but captured a number of prisoners. The Refugees had as many as thirty or forty horsemen The militia pursued too closely for them to take off any cattle. They killed Solomon Wardell at this time at Owens’s on the Bedford and New Castle road. His brother Eliakim Wardell was taken prisoner at the same time. Three of Moylan’s discharged soldiers, Cornelius Ogden, John Strong and Adam Schell once proposed to me
- Hufeland Index Page 802 -
to go on to Chappequa and lay in wait for a drove of cattle going below. We watched and patrolled all night, and was right among the Refugees without knowing it. Not finding any cattle and being hungry, I refused to stay another night. – Soon after I passed a house and barn where a party of Refugees were concealed who were about firing upon me, but one Jonathan Worden, one of them, knew me and prevented them saying, “if we fire we shall alarm the others.” I passed accordingly without knowing my danger, till Worden, afterwards, told Cornelius Ogden (when a prisoner below) who told me. After this the Refugees immediately surrounded and took my three companions. Schell was killed on the spot. Strong they took two or three miles, and,
- Hufeland Index Page 803 -
having a spite against him, hanged him. Ogden was taken below and exchanged. The drove, probably went down safely. Black rate was enforced in this neighbourhood. William Mosier the celebrated Lieutenant was my brother in law, having married my half sister. He was a mason, and died but a few years ago in Dutchess County where his sons now live. He was shaving when word came that the Refugee horse was coming. The Refugee Officers while attacking said: “Now you are half shaved, Mosier, you had better give up.” – “I will not.” – “You had better or you’re a gone man.” &c. &c. These facts I had from him, after hearing him tell the story.