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1848 October 7th Andrew Corsa of Fordham: “In July 1781, I was up for several days at General Washington’s headquarters at Appleby’s in order to reclaim a horse which had been taken from me. – There I became acquainted with many of the American guides. Soon after the French and American armies came down to reconnoitre. Cornelius Oakley and Isaac Webbers then came for me on a Sunday morning to accompany them in the capacity of a guide to Morrisania, and I went. We found Generals Washington and

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Rochambeau and the Duke de Lauzun waiting for us opposite the gate that now leads to Dr. Powell’s at Fordham. In conducting the force to Morrisania we followed the old road along the Bronx till we came to Graham’s Point and then turned to the right and advanced to Morrisania. The moment we approached upon the Ridge or high ground the British batteries opened upon us from Randall’s Island, Snake Hill, Haerlem and from the ships of war. We (the guides) stopped at the Ridge, not liking the cannonade which was very furious, but Washington and the French commanders moved forward as though nothing had occurred. We returned in the afternoon and the army encamped for the night near my fathers, I think, but am not certain, a little north of our house. The next day (Monday) we went down again

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but this time, advanced no further than the Mill. Both times we returned in a pretty direct line across the fields of Fordham. The last time the army (as I heard) encamped for the night somewhere towards Valentine’s Hill. In the action which occurred on the morning of July 3rd 1781, I and several other striplings found DeLancey at the Negro Fort. He wanted to send orders to Captain Totten who was in front and near the American forces, and for some reason or other selected me I delivered the orders accordingly which were that the West Chester Refugees should immediately retire as they were in imminent danger of being cut off. Totten made no answer, and DeLancey then sent me with peremptory orders to withdraw. When I delivered these last orders Totten was much irritated but complied. He complained that Colonel DeLancey did not understand

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the position of the two armies and ought not to interfere, that he knew his own business best, and that he should lose a capital opportunity of striking a blow particularly at Lauzun’s corps. The old Jail and Court House at West Chester were in the same building, the Jail being below, and the Court House above. The basement was of stone and the upper story of wood. Bearmore’s men dressed in green and DeLancy’s in all colors. DeLancey’s horse in general were in uniform with military hats and caps, but the foot were not usually in regular uniform. Colonel Armand appeared to be a strong thick set man. By the old road, it was from Dennis Valentine’s to Morrisania about six miles, and about two and a half to Fort No. 8, and to Robert Morris’s present residence.

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In the Revolutionary war the old road which runs south between the railroad and West Farms was a lane leading to Emmery’s and some other farmhouses, and its length was only about three fourths of a mile. In going from Fort No. 8 to West Farms there was then a temporary or war road which went across the Fordham fields a mile or a mile and a half, till it joined Emmery’s lane aforesaid, and this was the road in general use with both the troops and inhabitants in going and returning to and from Redoubt No 8, and DeLancey Kills and bridges, &c. [Colonel Hull probably retreated in 1781 by this road. J. M. M.] Hadley’s house where Colonel Wormb kept his out guard was more than half a mile above (north of) Van Courtland’s.

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Williams’ bridge by the old road was about four miles north east of King’s Bridge. By the old road, Williams Bridge was about three and a half miles from West Farms. West Farms and West Chester village were each about four miles to East Chester.