Rich, Frederick
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-09-16
Frederick Rich (1769-1859) recounts an incident when a group of American soldiers commanded by Major Joseph Strang fired into his family’s house at Mile Square in Yonkers while a ball was taking place in honor of Joshua Deveau. He then describes a British encampment that took place in Yonkers, and recalls the theft committed by Hessian soldiers when they encamped on the Rich farm after the Battle of White Plains. Rich also recounts the British raid into Yonkers on September 16, 1778, and the escape led by Westchester Guide John Odell. Rich then discusses captains Benjamin Ogden and John Althouse, both of whom were officers in Emmerich’s Chasseurs, and recounts Emmerich’s narrow escape at the Battle of Youngs’ House. He also describes the ambush of a Loyalist force commanded by Captain Joshua Barnes at Lent’s Hill in Yonkers in 1778. Rich then references the Native American soldiers of the Stockbridge tribe who were ambushed at the Battle of Van Cortlandt’s Woods, and concludes by mentioning Elijah Vincent, whom Rich believes ambushed a French soldier in Scarsdale in retaliation for the murder of his brother Gilbert.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 503 -
Septr. 16th Frederick Rich of Mile Square aged 80: “Major Strang’s party fired into our house in the fall of 1778 – My mother’s clothes were perforated. – Strang thought they were Refugees, and was blamed by Genl Washington who let my father go – he with 12 or 20 being taken up to Peekskill by Strang. My father was detained only two or three days. – General Washington knew him. – Almost day when the firing took place. The ball was given by Joshua Daveene [X] on the occasion of his having attained twenty one, being out of his time as a shoemaker. Strang ashamed, apologized – Thought the house full of Refugees – so he said. British army encamped from East Chester to North River. The first regiment at Grethens, and second regiment on Sampson Valentine’s farm, third regiment on our farm, that is the Rich farm at Mile Square, the fourth at Valentine’s Hill, the fifth on Mr. Babcock’s farm, and the sixth on Hog Hill. After
[X] Deveau?
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the battle of White Plains the Hessians came down, and encamped on our farm where the American camp had been, and plundered and took all our stock, fowls and provisions &c. When Guest [X] was surprised Colonel Odell, an American guide, took them across Saw Mill river near John Guion’s and near Paddock’s – a narrow escape. The British were at the church advancing in force. Emmerick advanced by a private road, a gate road, which came out by Williams’ near Valentine’s Hill. Emmerick came near being killed the day after the Indian fight by two Indians who were concealed in the calamus. Emmerick called at Brown’s (Deveau’s by the Mile Square road) for a drink of buttermilk. Emmerick – a severe disciplinarian, and very irritable at times. The party Colonel Hatfield overtook at Old William Underhill’s was from Cortland’s manor. The Refugees killed one
[X] Gist
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man, but, I think took no prisoners. – The surprise was about daylight. The refugees stopped at our house, both on the advance and retreat. If they had made prisoners, I should have seen them. Benjamin Ogden was one of Emmerick’s captains – Captn. Athouse was an American – commanded Emmerick’s riflemen and saved him from destruction at Young’s house. On that occasion they (the rifle’s) fired at Sheldon’s horse who was pursuing but killed none. I heard Ben. Asten and others who belonged to Emmerick’s say that the Colonel had a narrow escape that day. Barnes, I think, was not one of Emmerick’s captains – Emmerick’s men, I think, dressed in red. Barnes was taken when returning from an excursion above with plunder, and Major Leavenworth’s force was disposed in ambush all around him – when he found the situation he was in, was advised by Lieut. Hunt to retreat
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easterly to Barker’s Hill and make a stand there; but he said no, he would fight where he was (i.e. on Lent’s Hill) and cut his way through the rebels. Leavenworth soon after with the party under his immediate command advanced upon Barnes, fired, killing several and charged when Barnes surrendered without even firing a musket. The Stockbridge Indians came down almost every day near Kingsbridge for ten days or more before they were cut off. Emmerick deceived by pretending to be afraid of them. They grew bold and in consequence were ambuscaded. Elijah Vincent ambushed the French because they killed his brother, a smith of East Chester who refused to shoe the horses of the French dragoons.